KÜTAHYA BUSINESS COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP HELD AT THE KÜTAHYA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

The Kütahya Business Community Sustainability Workshop, organised by the Kütahya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KUTSO), brought together representatives of public institutions and organisations, the private sector and academia. Across five thematic roundtables, participants assessed the current state of sustainability within Kütahya’s business community, identified key needs and discussed potential solutions.

Delivering the opening speech, Emin Yüce, Chairman of the KUTSO Sustainability Working Group and Chairman of the Member Relations Coordination Board, stated that KUTSO was taking its sustainability initiatives forward on a more tangible and participatory basis, with the aim of carrying Kütahya’s industrial infrastructure and commercial potential into the future.

Yüce stated that the Sustainability Working Group had been established within KUTSO to conduct sustainability activities under a structured institutional framework. He explained that the group operates through two sub-working groups: “Twin Transition” and “Gender Equality, Social Impact and Social Resilience”. He emphasised that a strong cooperation network had been established with contributions from academics, public institutions and private-sector representatives.

Describing the workshop as a direct outcome of the work carried out by KUTSO and the Sustainability Working Group over recent months, Yüce characterised the programme as the first major step in translating a shared approach to sustainability into practical action. He noted that, in today’s globally competitive environment, sustainability is no longer solely an environmental responsibility, but has become a strategic necessity for the continuity of production, exports and regional development.

Yüce stated that the two-session workshop would focus on five key areas concerning the future of Kütahya’s industry and business community. He explained that the thematic roundtables would assess the current situation, identify needs and explore potential solutions. Noting that each roundtable would bring together the practical experience of company representatives with the expertise of academics and institutional representatives, Yüce said that the resulting assessments would contribute to the development of a regional roadmap for Kütahya.

Yüce emphasised that, while strengthening Kütahya’s competitiveness through the green and digital transitions, developing a skilled workforce is equally important. He stated that supporting the employment of women and young people, ensuring equal opportunities in working life and strengthening social resilience are among the fundamental elements of this process. He added that combining environmental sustainability with a strong commitment to social responsibility and investment in people would help build a more resilient Kütahya for future generations.

Concluding his remarks, Yüce thanked the companies, representatives of institutions and organisations, and academics who contributed ideas and shared their experience at the workshop roundtables. He expressed his hope that the workshop would deliver beneficial outcomes for Kütahya, its residents and its business community.

During the workshop, which was held in two sessions, participants gathered at five thematic roundtables focusing on “Resource Efficiency, Water and Waste Management”, “Green Transition, Regulatory Compliance and Green Finance”, “Social Sustainability, Human Resources and Working Life”, “Digital Transformation and Data Management for Sustainability”, and “Cooperation, Governance and the Regional Ecosystem for Sustainability”. Views were exchanged on the current situation, identified needs and potential solutions.

Following the presentation of the roundtable findings and an overall assessment, KUTSO Board Member Semra Tozaraydın delivered the closing remarks. Tozaraydın stated that further developing the views and proposals generated through this collaborative process and translating them into concrete partnerships would help shape the sustainability initiatives of Kütahya’s business community. She thanked all participants for their contributions.

News: KUTSO Press Office