PAGEV President Yavuz Eroğlu: Believe in change, vote for the solution — Yavuz Eroğlu runs for İKMİB Presidency

Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of PAGEV, becomes first candidate to announce bid for IKMIБ chairmanship as chemistry sector leads Turkey's export drive. Declaring his candidacy to transform IKMIБ into a solution-producing organization representing more than 6,000 exporters, Eroğlu said: "I am coming to make a change that will increase and facilitate our companies' exports. What we have achieved so far is only a beginning. I want the votes of those who believe in change and seek solutions," he said. Elections have begun at the Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (IKMIБ), one of Turkey's highest-volume export sectors. PAGEV Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu announced his candidacy for the IKMIБ Chairmanship. With the slogan "Believe in change, vote for solutions," Eroğlu said it is time to address and resolve the sector's problems. At a press conference held at Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Eroğlu noted that exporters in Turkey's highest value-added sector are struggling with poor union management and systemic issues, calling for change. Emphasizing that the chemistry sector is the star of exports, Eroğlu said: "We are embarking on creating an IKMIБ that guides sector actors, produces solutions, and grows the economy." Noting that some exporter union chairmen in Turkey avoid involvement and prefer to appear active rather than tackle sector problems, Eroğlu continued: "I have gained valuable experience in my roles at domestic and international civil society organizations. I have seen civil society organizations in Turkey that don't put their shoulder to the wheel but tell others 'put your shoulder to the wheel like this.' In developed and developed countries worldwide, civil society organizations steer the economy, relay sector problems to relevant authorities, and fight until they are resolved. They work for their respective sectors, produce solutions to problems, and those solutions not only support the economy but also drive the country's progress. That is why I am putting my shoulder to the wheel today. With the experience I have gained at PAGEV, which you have elected me to lead, with my identity as an industrialist and exporter, I am announcing my candidacy for the IKMIБ chairmanship for change in Turkey and our sector. I believe in change. Today I am taking the first step for this change and embarking on this journey."

"We have a five-point change plan"

Stating that change cannot be avoided in an age of transformation, Yavuz Eroğlu outlined the sector's problems and proposed solutions: "All actors in the global economy are experiencing rapid change in the technological age we are going through. This is such a wind that those who do not change become history. The dynamics of the sector we are part of compel us to transform, be sustainable, produce more, and create value. Every step we take, every problem we solve will be a brick that lifts Turkey's economy. This is why we say change, and we say it now. We have a five-point change plan for our sector. First, we plan to end astronomical membership fees. We will immediately reduce the high and mandatory fees charged to exporters. Why does IKMIБ only enjoy the luxury of deductions made from exporters? The union can obtain its own income instead of living off the exporter's back. We will make this happen. We will organize a 'Turkish Export Products Fair.' By bringing customers to Turkey, we will promote both our products and our country. While increasing the number of fairs for market diversification, we will reduce fair participation fees. Through our 'Specialized Shipping Services for Exporters' project, we will break the monopoly structure in ports and reduce our companies' shipping costs. We will increase the number and, most importantly, the quality of UR-GE projects. We will conduct UR-GE projects to sell goods, not to travel. In many areas such as state incentives, Eximbank credit, and customs issues where our exporters request support, we will also open an Ankara office to ensure they do not waste time and provide targeted solutions to problems. And most importantly, we will say 'stop to waste.' IKMIБ has annual revenue of TRY 25 million. We will cancel unnecessary luxuries such as 'Business Class' flights for management, non-goal-oriented travels funded by mandatory deductions from exporters, and all unnecessary, result-free 'hollow' projects. Money from exporters' pockets will be used to solve exporters' problems." Saying "I am a candidate to solve, not to destroy," Yavuz Eroğlu called on all IKMIБ members to vote: "There is only one obstacle to change: election participation rate. Election participation at our union hovers around 5 percent. Only 5 percent of our members decide who will be the chairman who will work for us, voice our problems, and find solutions. Therefore, let us accept April 2018 as a 'milestone' for IKMIБ. Let us believe in change together, vote for solutions…"