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The first meeting of the Industry and Technology Cooperation Board (SANTEK) for 2026 was held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in the Yalova Chamber of Commerce and Industry (YTSO) Conference Hall. The meeting was attended by Yalova Governor Dr. Ahmet Hamdi USTA, representatives from public institutions and organizations, university officials, and representatives from the industry and business world.

Opening speeches were given by İlhan Aydın, Yalova Provincial Director of Industry and Technology; Cemil Demiryürek, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yalova Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bahçekapılı, Rector of Yalova University; and Yalova Governor Dr. Ahmet Hamdi USTA.

In his opening speech, YTSO Chairman Cemil Demiryürek stated that despite its small size, Yalova possesses great potential in terms of economic diversity, production capacity, and strategic location. Describing Yalova as the "rising star of the Marmara Region," Demiryürek emphasized that the city's balanced economic structure, not dependent on a single sector, is the fundamental element of this success.

In his speech, Demiryürek... Demiryürek pointed out that high value-added industrial production, shipbuilding, agriculture, tourism, and the technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem are developing simultaneously in Yalova. He stated that Yalova Technopark, which brings university-industry collaboration to the field, and Yalova TEKMER, which supports entrepreneurship, are important building blocks of this ecosystem.

Emphasizing that qualified human resources are a critical element for the sustainability of industry, Demiryürek stated that the "Women's Hand in Industry" Project, led by TOBB and implemented in Yalova by the YTSO Women Entrepreneurs Board, aims to enable women to take on more active roles in the industrial sector and to be permanently included in employment.

Referring to Yalova's logistical strength, Demiryürek stated that the Osmangazi Bridge, highway connections, Ro-Ro lines, and proximity to Sabiha Gökçen Airport offer a significant advantage for investors, adding that Yalova has now become a center that attracts investment, rather than waiting for it.

He concluded by saying that Yalova is no longer a center waiting for investment, but one that attracts investment. The meeting continued with the assessments on the agenda by Serhat Duyar, Entrepreneurship Consultant of Yalova Technology Development Center (TEKMER). After receiving the views and suggestions of the board members and participants, the meeting ended.