In synergy with The Japan Times’ celebratory focus on 100 years of business brilliance in Turkey, Bridges Magazine invites readers to delve deeper into the personal chronicles of the very pioneers who have been instrumental in crafting Turkey’s commercial legacy. From age-old culinary traditions to cutting-edge optical innovations and the shaping of international partnerships, these firsthand accounts exemplify the passion and dedication that Turkish enterprise is renowned for. Here are their stories:
Karaköy Güllüoğlu: A Legacy of Baklava Through Ages
“Karaköy Güllüoğlu, which continues to preserve its rooted tradition since 1843 until today, keeps the story of baklava of the Ottoman palace cuisine alive in Istanbul for 6 generations. Two years ago, Karaköy Güllüoğlu began to take part in Japan with Nadir Güllü brand which is the face of its international activities. The brand, presenting baklava in various activities in Tokyo, got surprised by the amazing interest and decided to open its first permanent store in Matsuya Ginza. Nadir Güllü continues developing its activities in the Japanese market with its expanding product range and special packaging; and continues being a volunteer ambassador for introducing traditional Turkish baklava to the world.”
HOYA: Crafting Tomorrow’s Vision
“HOYA is the only optical lens manufacturer in Türkiye that established a laboratory with its own technology, systems, and 100% capital. For many years, HOYA Group has maintained an unwavering commitment to its mission of creating products and services via innovative and creative technologies. HOYA plays an active role in 52 countries around the world and has an annual production volume of one hundred and fifty thousand tailor-made optical lenses in its own laboratory in Türkiye which was established in 2015. HOYA draws attention as the only optical lens manufacturer in Türkiye that established a laboratory with its own technology, systems, and 100% capital. I would like to underline that HOYA’s main goal is to produce state-of-the-art products for end-users, to achieve excellence in fast shipping and after-sales service.”
ISTKA: Guiding Istanbul’s Journey to Global Eminence
“Istanbul is one of the most important focal points of world trade, and in recent years it has attracted all the attention with its potential to become a global technology and innovation center. As Istanbul Development Agency, we determine and implement strategies and priorities that will support this potential of our city together with our stakeholders. We see “startup model entrepreneurship” as one of the most important tools for the development of Istanbul and Turkey. Up to date, we have implemented many projects aimed at developing entrepreneurship culture, training qualified entrepreneurs, facilitating access to finance and expanding technology startups to international markets. In the upcoming period, we will continue our multidimensional work to make Istanbul a regional and global entrepreneurship center.”
UTIKAD: Bridging East and West in Global Transit Trade
Studies are being carried out for the development of transit transportation between the east and the west.
Geographically, Türkiye acts as a bridge between Asia and Europe and has economic and commercial advantages provided by its location.
In addition, due to its geographical location, Türkiye plays an important role in the trade corridors extending from Europe to Central Asia and constitutes an alternative to existing transportation corridors.
Merve Atakani Celikors
Industrial Affairs Assistant Expert
Association of International Forwarding and Logistics Service Providers (UTIKAD)
MOL Turkey: Bridging Two Nations with Shared Goals
Quote from Satoshi Katada, Chief Regional Representative / Managing Director, MOL Turkey Denizcilik ve Lojistik Ticaret A.Ş.:
“I would like to congratulate the Republic of Turkey on its 100th anniversary from the bottom of my heart. I am very happy to be working in Turkey during such a significant year. Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Turkey. Since my arrival in Turkey in 2017, we have chartered our world-largest FSRU to BOTAS and established a joint venture with Karadeniz Holdings to promote the gas-to-powership business. Unfortunately, the projects we were working on with Turkish companies before COVID did not come to fruition, but we are looking forward to making new investments in the coming year. We will continue to work together with Turkish companies and the people of Turkey to advance to a new stage.”
With a century of commercial accomplishments as their backdrop, the voices of these Turkish business trailblazers resonate with the unwavering spirit of a nation that ceaselessly innovates and adapts. To delve deeper into the expansive visions, enduring legacies, and audacious dreams of these industry stalwarts, we invite our readers to explore the provided links, taking a journey through the heart of Turkey’s business brilliance.
