At UTIB, İhsan İpeker Took Over the Flag

The Elective Ordinary General Assembly of the Uludağ Textile Exporters’ Association (UTIB) was held with broad participation from sector representatives. As a result of the elections in which a single list participated, Pınar Taşdelen Engin, who had been serving as chairman for 8 years, handed over the flag to İhsan İpeker.

Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) President İbrahim Burkay also attended the general assembly, which was held in the Uludağ Exporters’ Associations General Secretariat building and included representatives of many exporting companies, and gave support to the sector. On the list headed by İhsan İpeker, in the Board of Directors, Polyteks Tekstil, Güleser Tekstil, İlay Dış Ticaret, Fistaş Fantezi İplik, Harput Tekstil, Vanelli Tekstil, Acar İhracat İthalat, Korteks Mensucat, Aymes İç ve Dış Ticaret, Sinateks Kumaş Dokuma; and in the Supervisory Board, leading companies of the sector such as Burkay Tekstil, Taşdelen Tekstil, and Mayfil Tekstil took place.

Pınar Taşdelen Engin: We Achieved Works That Gave Hope for the Future in Difficult Times

Pınar Taşdelen Engin, who made the opening speech of the General Assembly, drew attention to the fact that they served during a difficult period in which the weight of the pandemic, wars, and economic crises made itself felt, and emphasized that they nevertheless carried out very positive works.

Stating that as a sector they closed the year 2025 with exports of 9.4 billion dollars, Engin stated that in the same period UTIB’s exports reached 1.22 billion dollars. When our textile and ready-to-wear sectors are evaluated together, Türkiye still continues its position as the indisputable production base of our region with total exports of 26.2 billion dollars in 2025. Türkiye has a strategic importance in the global supply chain. As of 2026, we reached an average value of 9.4 dollars per kilogram in our UTIB exports; this rate is the clearest indicator of our high-value-added production understanding. For eight years, we have been in the field not only with export figures, but also with activities, organizations, and projects that would transform our sector. From design competitions to award ceremonies, from UR-GE projects to events, we made our Union the center of the sector in a wide range. With Training Programs, Scholarships, UR-GE Projects, and national participation organizations in leading fairs, we also secure the continuity of our Union’s strong stance in the international arena. I sincerely wish that in the next journey of our Union, it will continue to produce export champions, create innovative leadership, and continue to be the strong voice of the sector,” she said.

İhsan İpeker: We Will Be Not Only a Follower of Transformation, but Also a Rule-Setter

UTIB President İhsan İpeker, who emphasized unity, continuity, and transformation in the new period, said that they would work with an understanding that would produce solutions to the needs of the sector by adding new ones to the projects implemented in the previous period. İpeker said, “I thank all our members who participated in our general assembly. In the new period, we also aim to put into operation new steps that will respond to the needs of the sector in the face of global change. We will work with an understanding that brings to the agenda the problems of all our exporters, big and small, makes them feel that they are not alone, and supports value-added production.

As you know, the textile sector is not only a field of production; it is the most deep-rooted legacy in Turkey’s industrialization history and its gateway to the future. However, we all know that the world now applauds not only producing, but also sustainable, digital, and high-value-added production. The transition from traditional textiles to technical textiles; from fast fashion to an environmentally friendly circular economy has ceased to be an option. As UTIB, we will not only be a follower of this transformation, but directly a rule-setter,” he said.

Following the opening speeches, a thank-you plaque was presented to the members of the board of directors and supervisory board who served in the previous period. UIB General Secretary Mümin Karacakayalılar, on behalf of the General Secretariat employees, presented flowers to Pınar Taşdelen Engin.