The 6th HAKSİAD Businessmen’s Meeting, held from June 25 to 28 in Kızılcahamam district of Ankara, ended on Sunday with the release of a comprehensive final declaration outlining strategic proposals for Türkiye’s economy.

The gathering, organized by HAKSİAD (the Association of Just Businessmen and Industrialists), brought together around 500 participants, including 20 branch presidents, 40 provincial representatives, and 10 foreign delegates. Entrepreneurs, industrialists, and business leaders from across Türkiye and abroad attended the four-day event.

HAKSİAD Deputy Chairman and Head of the Organization Committee Şükrü Aksoy announced the final declaration, which was shaped under the slogan “Ethical Trade, Strong Türkiye.”

The document emphasizes strengthening production and exports, promoting an interest-free and ethics-based trade model, restructuring vocational education, and supporting the real sector. It also addresses regional and global developments impacting international trade.

Participants analyzed global economic challenges and called for greater financial resilience of businesses against inflation. They advocated for alternative, sustainable, and ethical trade models as alternatives to the prevailing interest-based financial system. Drawing inspiration from historical Islamic merchant traditions, the declaration stressed the importance of honesty, trust, and ethical conduct in business.

A strong focus was placed on youth and entrepreneurship. HAKSİAD pledged increased institutional support to prepare young people for the workforce and integrate them into the business ecosystem. Intensive B2B meetings during the event reportedly led to concrete commercial connections and new partnership opportunities aimed at opening fresh export channels.

Geopolitically, the declaration expressed concern over aggressive policies by the United States and Israel in the Middle East — affecting Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran — as well as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. These conflicts, it noted, have disrupted supply chains, raised freight and insurance costs, driven up energy prices, and fueled global inflation. The group called on the government to apply stronger international pressure to secure trade routes.

Domestically, the business community fully backed the “Terror-Free Türkiye” vision, arguing that resources previously spent on counterterrorism could be redirected toward economic development, particularly revitalizing investment, trade, and tourism in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia.

The declaration also highlighted a growing labor shortage in both skilled and unskilled sectors, warning that failure to address it could shift Türkiye from a production-based to a consumption-based economy. It urged urgent reforms in vocational and technical education to better align with the needs of the real sector.

Other recommendations included:

• Increased government financial and credit support for producers
• Stronger measures against the informal economy and unfair competition
• Reducing the heavy interest burden on the national budget
• Redirecting savings from completed earthquake housing projects toward economic incentives
• Continued strong support for the defense industry to enhance Türkiye’s independence

HAKSİAD, now in its 14th year, reiterated its commitment to moral values, production, and lawful earnings while expanding its international network across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The final declaration concluded by thanking HAKSİAD President Vedat Turgut, board members, participants, speakers, and all contributors to the successful event.

This year’s meeting also featured special social programs for the families and children of participants for the first time, aiming to boost community spirit within the business network. (ILKHA)