GÜLER OUTLINES ETO'S PRIORITIES BEFORE ELECTIONS

At the March assembly meeting, ETO President Metin Güler reminded parliamentary candidates of the urgent need to address several long-standing issues in Eskişehir: the construction of the Northern Ring Road, the railway connection between the Organized Industrial Zone (OSB) and Gemlik Port, the initiation of domestic flights from Hasan Polatkan Airport, and the need for accessible credit for traders.

The Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce held its regular assembly meeting for March, starting with an opening speech by Assembly President Halil İbrahim Ara, followed by voting on agenda items. During the meeting, President Metin Güler provided updates on the chamber’s relief efforts following the earthquake, noting that 2,000 hygiene packages and 2,000 food aid packages had been delivered to earthquake victims. He mentioned that the donation process is ongoing and announced that ETO's women assembly members are organizing a performance of Afara – An Arabesque Musical on April 27 at the Vehbi Koç Congress Center, with all proceeds going to earthquake survivors.

Addressing the Ring Road and Gemlik Port Connection Issues

In his remarks regarding the election agenda, Güler wished success to candidates from Eskişehir and stressed the importance of resolving the city’s priority issues as soon as possible. He highlighted the significance of addressing the long-neglected Northern Ring Road issue, noting that traffic congestion leads to both time and financial losses. He also reiterated the need for the OSB to connect to Gemlik Port via railway, enabling Eskişehir producers to deliver their products to global markets more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Challenges in Accessing Credit for Traders

Güler pointed out another issue facing Eskişehir: the underutilization of Hasan Polatkan Airport. He emphasized the need for improvements to the current facility and the resumption of domestic flights. He reminded the parliamentary candidates of ETO’s priorities, mentioning that traders are struggling to obtain credit due to banks' reluctance to lend. In such an environment, access to credit is vital for traders, and Güler also noted that there are limits on housing loans that need to be addressed.