A commercial structure like Laleli, which has intense global relations, is inevitably affected, positively or negatively, by developments in the world. If you say you will be a world-class player, it is inevitable that you will face this situation. Each product from Laleli to different corners of the world brings us together with that country in one place. While the troubles of that country are our troubles, and its joys are our joys, each and every one of us makes maximum efforts to keep our mutual relations strong and alive. Just like a voluntary trade ambassador of our country, every individual of Laleli strives to expand this potential. In this sense, the importance of the diplomacy carried out by our country with both neighboring countries and distant geographies has a direct impact on the trade in Laleli. We witnessed this situation in the simplest sense during the aircraft crisis with Russia.
In addition to our country’s geopolitical advantages, the never-ending ring of fire around it drives us to a constantly dynamic and changing foreign policy management. Our companies in Laleli undoubtedly have great responsibilities in this diplomatic traffic that requires great effort and is not easy to manage. The development of trade between countries means the strengthening of friendship between those countries. If trade increases, mutual understanding increases, and as economies are integrated with each other, people know and understand each other better. In this respect, in addition to the economic, social and foreign exchange contributions of Laleli to our country, it also has a great impact on our country’s foreign relations. Laleli, which is the showcase of the products produced in Turkey, brings these products together with global buyers and also promotes Turkey in an honorary sense. While offering the tolerance and respect of our country’s people to our guests staying in our region, it confirms how safe and reliable we are through our logistics companies. We impress our hospitality and sincerity through our service sectors, and we explain to those who see our country’s principle of comfort and respect for people through the architectural and technical sophistication of our streets. In this respect, it would be a wrong assessment to see Laleli merely as a trade center that brings in foreign currency. Laleli represents Turkey in a symbolic sense, rather than just being a commercial district, in the eyes of its visitors. When we evaluate it this way, we remember once again that both we and our country have a great responsibility towards Laleli. If we, as Laleli, are good, true and devoted, Turkey will win in the eyes of the buyers and guests. The increasing interest of CIS countries in Antalya tourism over the years and the contribution of Laleli to this process is undoubtedly an undeniable fact. Just like a center of attraction, Laleli transforms its gravitational force into added value in every aspect of the country, thus contributing to the development of our country in every sense.
As LASİAD, we have been experiencing and feeling this process from the very beginning and we express this fact on every platform. We carry the heavy responsibility of this task, which is not easy, on our shoulders every second and every moment, and we constantly act with this awareness. We strive to turn the truths into goodness, the wrongs into satisfaction with the most naive compensations possible, and to send our guests to Laleli home happier, more enjoyable and more satisfied. We have to do this because this is Laleli. This is the heart of Istanbul. This is the world’s largest open-air tourism, trade and logistics center.
We will have entered a new era through our Ordinary General Assembly to be held within the month. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to all my companions who have shared this journey with me from past to present. I wholeheartedly wish success, determination and effort to our new friends who will join us. I hope that the upcoming Istanbul elections will be beneficial for our country, and I sincerely congratulate you on Eid al-Fitr.
Kind regards,
Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca
