JANUARY AGENDA FOR TRADERS: DOUBLED BILLS

Following 800 workplace visits and phone calls with members of the Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce (ETO) in January, rising costs and doubled natural gas and electricity bills emerged as the main issues members faced and urgently sought solutions for.

ETO’s member relations unit contacted 800 members through workplace visits and phone calls in January, asking members about their most pressing challenges. Many ETO members reported significantly increased costs, with electricity and natural gas bills for their businesses nearly doubling. Another common concern was that expenses had risen sharply, but earnings had fallen. Members, especially those in the service sector, mentioned a considerable drop in revenue while expenses continued to rise. High interest rates on business loans were also a frequent complaint; business owners noted they were often unable to use credit for their business financing due to high-interest rates.

3525 Members Reached Across 30 Neighborhoods and 5 Industrial Sites

ETO President Metin Güler, commenting on the issues traders in Eskişehir prioritized and hoped to resolve in January, stated that despite lockdown measures due to the pandemic last year, the member relations unit maintained direct contact with 3,525 members. Güler explained that through in-person visits and phone calls across 30 neighborhoods and 5 industrial sites, ETO was able to identify members’ demands and issues. This January, the unit reached 800 members, and their main requests and concerns were compiled into a report for TOBB and relevant institutions. Güler emphasized ETO's ongoing commitment to support traders and find solutions to members' concerns.

Sectoral Issues Identified Through Professional Committee Meetings

Güler highlighted that rising energy costs were the top complaint among members in January, with service sector members particularly affected by reduced turnover due to price hikes. He noted that member requests are assessed not only through visits and calls but also through professional committee meetings. Güler reiterated that ETO is prepared to take any necessary steps to help overcome the challenges facing the trading community.