CHP Deputies Visited Our Chamber

CHP Erzincan Deputy Mustafa Sarıgül, CHP Hatay Deputy Mehmet Güzelmansur, and CHP Mersin Deputy Gülcan Kış, who came to Malatya as part of their field visits, paid a visit to our Chamber.

During the visit, which also included CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba and CHP Provincial Chairman Barış Yıldız, evaluations were made on key topics such as post-earthquake economic developments, the expectations of businesspeople, the adverse effects of the frost disaster, and the city's economic agenda.

Speaking at the visit, our Board Chairman Oğuzhan Ata Sadıkoğlu addressed the issues following the February 6 disaster of the century and the April 12 agricultural frost disaster, conveying the demands of Chamber members.

Sharing the numbers of companies closed after the earthquake, Chairman Sadıkoğlu stated, "In 2023, 472 companies, and in 2024, 243 companies closed and deregistered from our Chamber. In the first 6 months of this year, the number of closed companies was 81."

"WE NEED QUALIFIED PERSONNEL"

Emphasizing that Malatya has experienced a qualified workforce exodus due to the earthquake, Chairman Sadıkoğlu said, "The number of personnel in our OSB, which was 42,000 before the earthquake, has now dropped to 30,000. We need qualified personnel across our city, especially in the OSB. The personnel shortage and production decline have also affected our export figures. Our exports, which were at $450 million before the earthquake, decreased by 20% in 2023. In 2024, we achieved $426 million in exports, a 9% increase compared to the previous year. This year, our goal was to exceed $500 million, but then we faced the agricultural frost disaster on April 12. It has been 127 days since the agricultural frost disaster. As Malatya, we contribute significantly to the national economy with an annual foreign exchange inflow of approximately $500 million from apricots. However, this year's frost damage will leave deep wounds in both our city's and our country's economy that will be difficult to compensate. We need substantial support to mitigate the economic damage of the agricultural frost. We demand comprehensive support for our producers, tradespeople, merchants, and exporters."