TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association)

Turkish Industry and Business Owners Association (TÜSİAD) is a civil society organization established in Türkiye with the aim of enhancing the representation of the private sector, contributing to the industrialization process, and promoting an entrepreneurial culture, as indicated by activity and independent society. It was founded on 2 February 1971 in Istanbul.

In addition to economic issues, the association undertakes various initiatives in the fields of social development, state governance, and sustainable development. Anniversary milestones serve as a platform for evaluating TÜSİAD’s institutional development and sharing its future vision with the public.

Founding Process

TÜSİAD was established in 1971 through the initiative of leading industrialists and businesspeople of the time. Founding members include Vehbi Ram, Nejat Eczacıbaşı, İbrahim Bodur, Raul Gardini, and other notable figures place.

The founding purpose was to convey the views of the private sector to policymakers, defend the economic and social interests of its members, and contribute to Türkiye’s development process. The fundamental principles established by the founding members are the supremacy of law, participatory democracy, a free market economy, and sustainable development.

Organizational Structure and Operations

TÜSİAD is governed by a General Assembly composed of its members and a Board of Directors elected by the Assembly. The Chairman and members of the Board of Directors are elected every two years. As of 2023, the Chairman of the TÜSİAD Board of Directors is Orhan Turan. Past Chairmen of TÜSİAD include Muharrem Kayhan, Tuncay Özilhan, Omar Sabancı, Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, Erol Bilecik, and Simone Kaslowski like.

Within the association, various commissions and expert groups operate on topics such as digital transformation, education, environment, and gender equality. Additionally, TÜSİAD supports corporate entrepreneurship initiatives to foster an entrepreneurial culture. These efforts aim to enhance the innovation capacity of the private sector.

TÜSİAD’s members represent approximately 85 percent of Türkiye’s Gross Domestic Product, 80 percent of foreign trade, and more than 80 percent of corporate tax revenues. These figures underscore the association’s institutional influence on Türkiye’s economy.

Areas of Activity

TÜSİAD has a broad scope of activities extending beyond economics. It conducts research and formulates policy recommendations on economic growth, industry policies, education, digitalization, law, foreign politics, and sustainability. These studies are typically shared with the public through reports, strategy documents, conference, and panel discussions.

Other areas of focus include women’s employment, youth entrepreneurship, and green transition. TÜSİAD’s social responsibility projects aim to strengthen the private sector’s contribution to society.

National and International Relations

TÜSİAD collaborates with public institutions, universities, and other civil society organizations within Türkiye. Its primary international representative offices are:

• Brussels (EURepresentative Office)
• Washington D.C. (USARepresentative Office)
• Berlin (GermanyRepresentative Office)
• Paris(FranceRepresentative Office)

Through these offices, TÜSİAD represents Türkiye’s business community to international organizations. The association also plays an active role in platforms such as BusinessEurope, OECD, the United Nations, and B20.

Role and Influence in Türkiye’s Economy

Thanks to the capital strength and sectoral representation of its members, TÜSİAD represents a significant portion of Türkiye’s private sector. Since the 1980s, it has influenced areas such as privatization policies, free market reforms, and relations with the Europe Union. TÜSİAD’s published strategic reports and workshops have contributed to economic decision-making processes.

Founding Anniversary Events

TÜSİAD views its founding anniversaries as an opportunity not only to reflect on the past but also to share current and future-oriented goals. Events held in this context include symposia, panels, vision documents, and programs targeting young entrepreneurs. Comprehensive event programs are especially organized on milestone anniversaries such as the 40th and 50th years.