Our membership increased by 19 percent after the earthquake.

Oğuzhan Ata Sadıkoğlu, President of the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) Board of Directors, stated, "Advocating for the issues of our members who suffered greatly from the earthquake and following up on them has increased trust in our Chamber and raised our membership numbers. Our membership count, which was 10,594 on February 6, has now risen by 19% to 12,631. We will continue to be the voice of our members and address their concerns."

Oğuzhan Ata Sadıkoğlu, President of the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO), met with local and national press members at the Press Meeting held at the Chamber on the occasion of January 10, Working Journalists' Day.

"OUR PRESS BECAME THE VOICE OF THE CITY"

Speaking at the well-attended meeting, President Sadıkoğlu said, "On February 6, 2023, we all experienced major earthquakes together. It has been 1,085 days since the earthquake. It is impossible to forget those days as we approach the third anniversary, and we will not forget. I would like to state clearly that from the very first days, our press has been one of the most important witnesses and pillars of this process. You truly became the voice of this city. You played a critical role against perceptions that it was as if no earthquake had occurred in Malatya. From economic recovery to reconstruction efforts, from industrialists' problems to tradesmen's expectations, your pens, lenses, and microphones have been among the most decisive elements in shaping the direction of the process. We firmly believe that you will continue to be the voice of Malatya and courageously speak the truth. On behalf of Malatya, I thank each of you for your contributions, patience, and sense of responsibility."

"OUR MEMBERSHIP INCREASED BY 19% IN 3 YEARS"

Emphasizing that while the press has been the voice of Malatya, the Chamber has also been the voice of its members, President Sadıkoğlu said, "While our press has been the voice of Malatya since February 6, we have strived to be the voice of our members. Advocating for our members' issues and following up on them has increased trust in our Chamber and raised our membership numbers. Our membership count, which was 10,594 on February 6, has now risen by 19% to 12,631. We will continue to be the voice of our members and address their concerns."

"WE ARE HOPEFUL FOR 2026"

As Malatya, which experienced major earthquakes, we are hopeful for 2026. We believe 2026 will be an important year for Malatya. As MTSO, we will focus on projects that highlight our city's commercial experience, production capacity, tourism advantages, and gastronomic culture. Right after Ramadan, we will organize workshops on 'The Global Position of Malatya Apricots,' 'The Earthquake's Impact on Malatya's Economy,' and 'Tourism and Gastronomy.'"

DEFENSE INDUSTRY TO COME TO MALATYA

President Sadıkoğlu conveyed the message that they will pioneer bringing the defense industry to Malatya: "Our country and the world know us as an apricot production hub. However, as Malatya, we want to make a name not only with apricots but also with our strong production infrastructure. In this regard, we aim to position our city as a defense industry production center. Following our discussions with the Presidency of Defense Industries, we will soon host an important meeting. We will bring together top executives of major companies like ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN, and BAYKAR with our producers in Malatya. Our goal is to pave the way for our members to become suppliers to these major companies and integrate Malatya's industry into a high-tech production ecosystem."

OUR GOAL: A STRONGER MALATYA

President Sadıkoğlu noted that they are striving to make Malatya stronger in every aspect by treating the earthquake as an opportunity: "As the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we state very clearly: Our goal is not just to return to pre-earthquake conditions but to make Malatya stronger in every way by leveraging the earthquake as an opportunity. We cannot do this alone. We can succeed with all of Malatya's dynamics and our press. I want it to be known that we stand by every positive step taken for our city. Just as today, we see our press as the most important companion in every step we take for Malatya's economic development in the future."