ÖZER MATLI: “WE ARE CARRYING OUR CENTURY-OLD HERITAGE INTO THE STRONG BURSA ECONOMY OF THE FUTURE”
Bursa Commodity Exchange, which has been at the center of Bursa’s commercial life since the day it was established, is proud to have left 102 years behind. Stating that the service journey spanning more than a century has formed the foundation of the Exchange’s strong institutional structure, Bursa Commodity Exchange Chairman of the Board of Directors Özer Matlı said, “With the strength we derive from our history, we are determinedly working to carry the agriculture and food trade of Bursa and our country into the future and to create value on a global scale.”
Founded on September 11, 1924, under the name Bursa Grain Exchange by Değirmenci Halil Paşa Zade İbrahim Bey and his associates, Bursa Commodity Exchange (Bursa TB) has continued to be one of the building blocks of the city and national economy since the early years of the Republic.
Growing its institutional experience spanning more than a century through initiatives that shape Bursa’s agricultural and commercial future today, Bursa Commodity Exchange brings the traditional understanding of commodity exchange together with the requirements of modern trade through its strong ties with producers, traders, industrialists and the business community.
Century-Old Experience Turns into Economic Value
Bursa Commodity Exchange Chairman of the Board of Directors Özer Matlı, in his statement on the occasion of the anniversary of its establishment, stated that the torch lit with the vision of Değirmenci Halil Paşa Zade İbrahim Bey and the founding members has illuminated Bursa’s agricultural and commercial development for more than a century. Saying, “For us, more than a century of experience is not only a strong past, but also an important responsibility towards the future,” Matlı said that the journey that began under the name Bursa Grain Exchange has today evolved into a strong institutional structure that focuses on sustainability and digitalization, is integrated into global markets and provides added value to its members.
Stating that the registration transaction volume of Bursa TB exceeding 70 billion TL is one of the concrete indicators of this development, Chairman Matlı continued as follows:
“We are not merely preserving this century-old heritage entrusted to us by our ancestors; in our second century, we are leading the transformation of agriculture and trade with visionary initiatives suited to today’s rapidly changing economic conditions. We continue our work with an understanding that increases the competitiveness of our members, develops production and trade, and contributes to Bursa’s economic development.”
“We contribute to Bursa’s production strength”
Pointing out that Bursa is one of the important centers of the Turkish economy with its strong production culture and deep-rooted commercial tradition, Chairman Özer Matlı emphasized the importance of transforming the city’s potential into an economic structure that generates higher added value. Matlı said, “Transforming Bursa’s potential in agriculture, food, industry and trade into higher added value is of great importance in terms of carrying our city’s economic strength into the future. As Bursa Commodity Exchange, in addition to our traditional commodity exchange activities, we are developing projects aimed at the development of the agriculture and food sectors, facilitating trade, and increasing the competitiveness of our producers and traders.”
Stating that they have implemented many important initiatives in line with this understanding, Matlı said:
“From the Food Specialized Organized Industrial Zone to our UR-GE projects in the food sector, from registering our city’s valuable products with geographical indications to our Off The Record project, which adds value to local products and brands, we have carried out work across a wide range of areas. Through all these projects, we contribute to transforming Bursa’s production and trade strength into an economic structure that generates higher added value, and to positioning our local values more strongly at the national and global level.”
Century-Old Heritage Sheds Light on the Future
Chairman Özer Matlı stated that Bursa Commodity Exchange today has a strong institutional structure that adapts to changing economic conditions, places the needs of its members at the center and prepares for the trade models of the future, noting that the foundation of the Exchange’s success lies in the collective effort extending from the past to the present.
Matlı concluded his remarks as follows:
“Our journey, which began under the name Bursa Grain Exchange in the early years of our Republic, has today evolved into a strong institutional heritage spanning more than a century. Within this heritage lies the effort of Bursa’s producers, traders, industrialists and businesspeople. I would like to thank, above all, our members, as well as all our chairmen, members of the Assembly and Board of Directors, and employees who have contributed to bringing our Exchange to where it is today.
As Bursa Commodity Exchange, we will continue to work with an understanding that draws strength from the past, responds to today’s needs and shapes the economy of the future. On this occasion, I celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of our Exchange and respectfully and gratefully commemorate everyone who has contributed to Bursa Commodity Exchange from its establishment to the present day. I pray for God’s mercy upon all our elders who served our Exchange, particularly our former chairmen who have passed away.”
