“As you know, our country’s future economic policy is built on achieving high and stable growth rates based on increased employment and productivity, and maintaining macroeconomic stability. Looking back over the past 10 years, we can say that these balances have been maintained. Moreover, the positive impact of export and tourism figures has definitely played a significant role in the economic performance presented in recent years. In 2001, our country, with an export volume of 31.3 billion dollars, achieved significant momentum by reaching 152.4 billion dollars in exports in 2012 (TUIK). Although our import, which is dominated by petroleum, natural gas, intermediate goods, machinery, and raw materials, poses a threat in terms of creating a trade deficit, it is observed that this deficit is somehow balanced when tourism and other items are considered.
Similarly, in 2001, our country, which hosted 13.4 million tourists, reached 36.8 million tourists and 29.3 billion dollars in tourism revenue by 2012 (TURSAB). In addition, while 21.5 million people were employed in our country in 2001, this figure increased to 25.3 million in 2012 (TUIK). When we evaluate these figures for our region, we see that all the elements of Laleli contribute to the three fundamental pillars of the economy: Export, Tourism, and Employment, with full harmony and compact coexistence. Wherever you go in the world, you cannot see another region where trade, tourism, logistics, and employment live in such harmony, compactness, and intertwined manner. With its visual architecture, renewed service understanding, and modern infrastructure, Laleli adds significant value to the development of the country’s tourism. Located in the very center of the historic peninsula, Laleli should be seen as a great strength and opportunity for our country with its hotels, modern stores, and logistical facilities, where guests from many different cultures, from Europe to Africa and even Far East, can shop in safety and trust.
As LASIAD, when we represent our region in a corporate sense, we act as if every individual living in our region and sustaining Laleli is an ambassador of tourism and a foreign trade worker, representing our country. Every product sold turns into bread and sustenance for our brothers and sisters working in the remotest corners of Anatolia, and every foreign currency inflow contributes to our growth and welfare. In this sense, it is not possible to consider Laleli independently of Bursa, Gaziantep, Ankara, Adana, Diyarbakır, or Izmir. Laleli, which is like the showcase of Turkey, supports the formation of social peace and justice through the employment it provides, harboring various segments within it, accommodating different people on the basis of peace and brotherhood, and forming a small prototype of our country’s cultural richness. With its global brands and potential companies, it contributes to foreign trade while offering visitor requirements such as accommodation and logistics with an innovative approach and a philosophy of continuous development. Describing Laleli and including the country’s realities in the equation, I think the rest of the picture comes to life much more differently in our minds. As LASIAD, we act with this consciousness and sensitivity whenever necessary, representing the unity of a single voice in events such as the festivals we organize or the regulation of the infrastructure.
In conclusion, I greet you all with respect and affection.”
Giyasettin Eyüpkoca
