Turkey’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, recently visited the Aydın Governorate as part of his program. Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by Governor Yakup Canbolat in his office. Following this, Minister Işıkhan engaged in a consultative meeting with business leaders at a local hotel. The gathering included not only Governor Canbolat but also AK Party Aydın Members of Parliament Mustafa Savaş, Seda Sarıbaş, Ömer Özmen, representatives from various chambers of commerce and civil society organizations, bureaucrats, and business owners.
During his address at the meeting, Minister Vedat Işıkhan emphasized Aydın’s historical significance as a vital hub for trade, agriculture, and industry. He praised the city for its fertile lands, entrepreneurial spirit, and dynamic workforce, all of which have contributed significantly to the Turkish economy. Minister Işıkhan reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering investment, production, employment, and export-oriented growth models in Aydın, aiming to further enhance the city’s economic landscape.
Reflecting on the labor statistics in Aydın, Minister Işıkhan noted that as of 2024, the registered workforce in the city stood at 81,064, with 30,979 individuals actively seeking employment. He highlighted a slight decrease in the number of job seekers compared to the previous year, with an open job count of 40,134. Minister Işıkhan underscored the government’s focus on promoting female employment through various projects and support mechanisms, leading to the integration of 12,209 women into the workforce by 2024. Additionally, special initiatives targeting youth employment saw 9,906 young individuals gaining employment opportunities, along with 693 disabled individuals being placed in jobs.
In his efforts to boost Aydın’s investment potential, Minister Işıkhan emphasized the continuous updating of incentive policies to stimulate the opening of new businesses, expansion of existing enterprises, and overall increase in employment levels. By leveraging these incentives, Aydın has witnessed a significant rise in the number of businesses benefiting from government support, signaling a positive trajectory for economic growth in the city.
Looking ahead, Minister Işıkhan affirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening industrial zones in Aydın to enhance its competitiveness in trade and commerce. He outlined plans to further support the city’s dominant sectors, particularly agriculture and food manufacturing, with the aim of establishing Aydın as a hallmark for agricultural production. By fostering value-added projects that merge agricultural output with industrial processes, the government envisions Aydın becoming a beacon of excellence in the agricultural and food industry.
Addressing the evolving needs of Aydın’s workforce, Minister Işıkhan highlighted the critical sectors of the food industry, tourism, agricultural production, and technology-driven industries. He stressed the importance of expanding vocational training programs to cultivate a skilled workforce that aligns with the demands of the business community. Through initiatives such as the Vocational Training Programs and Occupational Training Courses, the government aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills to meet industry requirements. Minister Işıkhan also emphasized the significance of direct engagement with business owners to understand their expectations and needs, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to supporting mechanisms that facilitate business growth.
In line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s vision for a prosperous and resilient Turkey, Minister Işıkhan reiterated the government’s dedication to advancing the country across all sectors. He emphasized Aydın’s pivotal role in this vision, stating that collective efforts are essential to enhance the city’s industrial infrastructure, create new investment opportunities, boost vocational training, promote female and youth employment, and adopt investor-friendly policies. Minister Işıkhan assured that the government stands ready to support projects that strengthen Aydın’s position, fostering a culture of collaboration, productivity, and growth.
Echoing Minister Işıkhan’s sentiments, Aydın Governor Yakup Canbolat praised the city’s geographic location, agricultural prowess, tourism potential, and skilled workforce, positioning Aydın as one of the rapidly developing provinces in the Aegean region. Governor Canbolat commended the concerted efforts of business owners, civil society organizations, and chambers of commerce, which have propelled Aydın towards its 2025 targets in various economic, social, cultural, agricultural, and tourism domains. He expressed confidence that with the right policies and strategies, Aydın’s economy will continue to ascend, solidifying its significance within the national and global economic landscape.
