Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat stated that Türkiye’s furniture exports have exceeded $4.6 billion, emphasizing that “Turkey ranks among the top 10 countries in the world in both furniture production and exports. With 300,000 employees, 45,000 manufacturers, and 50,000 stores, Turkey has become one of the first countries that come to mind when it comes to furniture.”
The opening ceremony of Modoko Academy took place with the participation of Minister Ömer Bolat, Ümraniye Mayor İsmet Yıldırım, and Modoko Chairman Koray Çalışkan.
In his speech, Minister Bolat praised Modoko Academy as a valuable initiative for manufacturers and industrialists, describing it as a model example of university-industry collaboration. He underlined that the academy will serve as a training institution for cultivating a new generation of skilled apprentices, craftsmen, and technicians for the furniture sector.
Government Priorities: Education and Industry
Minister Bolat noted that the government allocates a significant portion of the budget to education and healthcare. “We increased the number of universities from 76 to 210, expanded faculties, and improved vocational and technical schools. We grew the education workforce from 450,000 to over one million,” he stated.
He stressed the need for both university graduates and vocational school-trained professionals:
“Today, a well-trained technician with a few years of experience can easily earn two to three times more than a fresh university graduate.”
He also highlighted ongoing government efforts, such as the Ministry of Education’s MESEM project and apprenticeship programs, and announced support for vocational schools initiated by exporter associations.
“Türkiye is Among Global Leaders in Multiple Sectors”
Minister Bolat emphasized the significant growth in many industries over the last 22 years, including automotive, textiles, ceramics, tourism, aviation, and logistics.
“Our GDP has grown sixfold, and exports have increased 7.7 times in goods and services,” he said.
“In the furniture sector, exports have grown more than tenfold.”
He pointed to Modoko as a leading example of industrial clustering in the sector, with other major centers like İnegöl and Kayseri also contributing significantly to Türkiye’s position in the global furniture market.
Support for Labor-Intensive Industries
Bolat announced that the government is providing 2,500 TL per employee in grants for labor-intensive sectors such as furniture, textiles, apparel, leather, and footwear for the current year.
He added that incentives are also available for opening overseas stores, branches, and warehouses.
He underlined that the government supports producers through energy subsidies, low-cost electricity and gas, and annual wage support of 800 billion TL, aiming to enhance manufacturing and exports.
“The Century of Trade is a Key Part of the ‘Century of Türkiye’ Vision”
Minister Bolat described trade as a driving force for investment, production, employment, and economic stability:
“If we don’t export, someone else will—and they’ll beat us in our own market. We must be active globally.”
He spoke about the ongoing global economic slowdown and trade wars, emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting and advancing Turkey’s economy and industry.
Addressing the broader vision, Bolat said:
“‘The Century of Trade’ is a vital component of our national ‘Century of Türkiye’ goal. The more trade grows, the more the economy grows, and the more people benefit.”
He also noted the peace-oriented role Turkey plays in international diplomacy and conflicts, referencing Türkiye’s mediation efforts in regions like Somalia, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Russia.
Modoko Chairman: “We Are the Sector with the Highest Current Account Surplus”
Modoko Chairman Koray Çalışkan remarked that the furniture industry employs over 300,000 people and continues to grow despite challenges.
“As the Modoko administration, we try to take initiative rather than wait for everything from the state. Modoko Academy is one such project we’ve developed to address sectoral challenges ourselves,” he said.
Following the speeches, Minister Bolat toured the new Modoko Academy, meeting with university students and offering career advice.
