Mustafa GÜLTEPE
President of Türkiye Exporters Assembly
Mustafa Gültepe was born in 1968 in the Tonya district of Trabzon. He began his educational journey at Sayraç Elementary School and continued at Tonya Middle School and Trabzon Fatih High School. He graduated from the Department of Industrial Engineering at Dokuz Eylül University in 1990 and completed his MBA at Istanbul University in 1997.
He began his professional career at Taha Tekstil in 1992. In 1994, he played a key role in the establishment of Talu Tekstil within Taha Tekstil. He continues to serve as Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Talu Tekstil.
He joined the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Apparel Exporters' Association (İHKİB) in 2007. In April 2018, he was elected Chairman of the Board of İHKİB, and in June 2022, he was elected President of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM). Between 2022 and 2026, he concurrently served as the head of both organizations. In June 2026, he was re-elected for a second term as President of TİM.
In addition to his role at TİM, Gültepe serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK), Member of the Board of Directors of Türk Eximbank, Vice Chairman of the Board of İGE Inc., Vice Chairman of the Board of Türk Ticaret Bankası, and Member of the Executive Committee of KOSGEB.
Throughout his career, Gültepe has undertaken prominent leadership roles in various industry organizations. Between 2017 and 2021, he served as Chairman of the Board of the Sakarya Organized Industrial Zone.
Mustafa Gültepe is married, has three children, and is fluent in English.
Ahmet GÜLEÇ
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice President of Istanbul Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association
Born in Mardin in 1970, Ahmet Güleç graduated from the Department of Public Administration at the Faculty of Political Sciences, Ankara University, in 1990. He completed his master's degree in Economic Policy at the Institute of Social Sciences of Istanbul University. He began his professional career at Nurhas Furniture in 1991 and has served as the Chairman of the Board of the company since 2003.
A prominent figure in the development, institutionalization and international competitiveness of the Turkish furniture industry, Güleç has held leading positions in numerous non-governmental organizations. He served as Chairman of the İnegöl Branch of MÜSİAD (Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association) between 2007 and 2012 and was a member of the MÜSİAD High Advisory Board until 2023.
Recognized for his efforts to strengthen collaboration within the furniture industry in İnegöl, one of Türkiye's leading furniture manufacturing hubs, Güleç chaired the İnegöl Furniture Promotion Group and played a key role in the establishment of the İnegöl Furniture Industrialists' Association (İMOS).
In 2010, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Turkish Furniture Manufacturers Association (MOSDER) and became its Chairman in 2012. During the same period, he founded the Furniture Associations Federation (MOSFED), bringing together Türkiye's furniture associations under a single umbrella organization, and continues to serve as its Chairman. He is also a Member of the Board of Directors of the European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC).
A Member of the Board of Directors of İDTM, Güleç also served two terms, in 2014 and 2018, as Chairman of the Istanbul Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters' Association. Since 2022, he has been serving as Vice Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM).
Ahmet Güleç is married, has four children, and speaks English, Arabic and Kurdish.
Ahmet ÖKSÜZ
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice Chairman of İTHİB
Ahmet ÖKSÜZ was born in Kahramanmaraş in 1970. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Kipaş Holding. He completed his high school education at Kabataş Boys' High School in Istanbul and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yıldız Technical University. After completing his master's degree at the University of Florida in 1993, ÖKSÜZ began his professional career the same year at Kipaş Holding, which operates in various sectors, primarily textiles.
Between 1999 and 2018, he served as a Member of the Board of Directors and Vice Chairman at İTHİB. He also held the position of Chairman of the Apparel Industry Council at TOBB. From 2008 to 2018, he represented Türkiye as a Member of the Board of Directors of Euratex, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation.
Following the general assemblies held in 2018 and 2022, he was elected Chairman of the Board of İTHİB and served in this role from 2018 to 2026.
ÖKSÜZ is a member of Fenerbahçe Sports Club and the 1907 Association. He is fluent in English and German.
Ali Can YAMANYILMAZ
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice Chairman of the Mediterranean Fishery and Animal Products Exporters' Association
Born in Adana on April 20, 1962, Ali Can Yamanyılmaz is married and has two children. He completed high school education, Yamanyılmaz speaks Arabic, Russian, and English. He entered the business world in the textile sector, just as his father. He developed his textile business in Bursa and exported his products to many countries. In later years, he imported motorcycles in numerous centers throughout Türkiye.
Later, his company shifted sectors, focusing on citrus processing and packaging; it gained a significant position in this sector, particularly through substantial exports to Eastern Bloc countries. In 2002, it transitioned to the aquaculture sector; establishing SASU A.Ş., a company operating in the processing, packaging, and sale of frogs, snails, and fish, as a well-known brand both domestically and internationally. Today, his company continues to progress steadily by increasing its product range and demonstrating consistent development. In 2010, the company also started trout farming, implementing a new business model where production, processing, and sales are all carried out in-house. The company's product range also includes canned tuna.
Yamanyılmaz has been serving as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mediterranean Fishery and Animal Products Exporters' Association since 2022, playing a significant role in shaping the strategic direction of the sector, increasing its international visibility, and contributing to its sustainable growth.
For the past three years, he has played a leading role in organizing The Venezuela Turkish Export Products Fair in Caracas, Venezuela, which facilitates B2B meetings between Turkish and Venezuelan businesspeople and the development of mutual trade agreements, thereby strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. This event has significantly contributed to increasing export volumes and creating new business opportunities by laying the groundwork for the establishment of sustainable business relationships.
Yamanyılmaz, reaffirming his confidence in the sector's leadership, has been re-elected to the Türkiye Exporters' Assembly (TİM) Sector Council and will also serve as the Vice Chairman of the Turkish Fishery and Animal Products Exporters' Associations Sector Board for the new term. Through his national-level representation roles in the sector, he continues to contribute to Türkiye's export vision, enhance the sector's international competitiveness, and work towards the common interests of exporters.
Baran ÇELİK
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice Chairman of the Board for Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters Association
Baran Çelik was born in Bursa in 1977. He completed his Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Uludağ University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. He received the title of Mechanical Engineer MSc. Çelik started his career in 2000 as a Board Member at Beyçelik A.Ş.
Baran Çelik currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board/CEO of Beyçelik Holding A.Ş., established in 1976 and operates in automotive, energy, heating, cooling and air conditioning (hvac) and insurance sectors. Çelik also serves as Chairman of the Board of Beyçelik Gestamp, which is the flagship of the Holding. He has been serving as Vice Chairman of the Board/CEO of various companies in the Holding since 2007.
Baran Çelik participates in various non-governmental organizations actively. Between 2012-2014, he assumed the Chairman of the Board duty in Young Businessmen Association of Turkey Bursa Branch (TUGIAD). Between 2016-2018 he assumed the President of High Advisory Board in TUGİAD.
Baran Çelik is the Coordinating Chairman of Uludağ Exporters Association and Chairman of the Board for Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters Association (OİB). Çelik is a Member of Automotive Sector Council for the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO). He is also a member of Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEİK) and Turkish Industry & Business Association (TÜSİAD). Çelik has been serving as the Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of The Business at OECD (BIAC) as of 20 May 2021.
Baran Çelik is married and has 3 children.
Celal KADOOĞLU
TİM Sectors Council Member
Chairman of Southeast Anatolian Cereals, Pulses, Oil Seeds and Products Exporters' Association
Born in 1980 in Cizre, Şırnak, Celal Kadooğlu completed his primary and secondary education at Yükseliş College in Ankara and his high school education at Fırat College in Gaziantep and started his business life in Kadooğlu Group of Companies in 1999. In parallel with his business life, he received intensive business management training at London Metropolitan University.
Celal Kadooğlu is actively serving as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kadooğlu Holding and CEO of Kadooğlu Yağ, a vegetable oil producer exporting to 55 countries. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Associations, Board Member of TAİDER Family Business Association, Member of TİM Sectors' Council and the Board of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM)
Celal Kadooğlu, who is responsible for vegetable oils, real estate investment and holding finance management within Kadooğlu Holding, is married and has 3 children.
Cem SEVEN
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice Chairman of Turkish Ship, Yacht and Marine Services Exporters' Association (GYHİB)
Cem Seven was born in Istanbul on 26 March 1968. He completed his secondary education at Saint-Joseph French High School and earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (English) from Bilkent University.
He joined Sanmar Denizcilik Makina ve Tic. A.Ş., one of the world's leading companies in tugboat construction and a provider of tugboat and pilotage services, in 1989 as Operations Manager. After serving in various executive positions within the company, he currently serves as Chairman of the Board.
Between 2013 and 2018, he served as Chairman of Professional Committee No. 47 at the Chamber of Shipping.
He served two consecutive terms as Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Ship, Yacht and Marine Services Exporters' Association (GYHİB) from 2018 to 2022 and 2022 to 2026. He currently continues to serve the Association as a Member of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Seven is married with two children and is fluent in French and English.
Çetin TECDELİOĞLU
TİM Sectors Council Member
Chairman of İstanbul Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association
Çetin TECDELİOĞLU was born in Malatya in 1971. After completing his primary and secondary education in Istanbul, he graduated from Kabataş High School in 1987. He later earned his degree from the Faculty of Administrative Sciences at Anadolu University in Eskişehir. His entrepreneurial journey traces back to a hot and cold metalworking workshop established in 1880 by his great-grandfather Ahmet Hoca, who was known as "Tecdeli" during the Ottoman era.
Today, this family tradition in metal processing is carried forward by the third generation. Manufacturing operations continue under Çetin Cıvata, while marketing activities are conducted through Civtec Cıvata Inc. As a member of Tecde Group, which was founded in 1987 and today comprises 18 companies, Tecdelioğlu has held various executive positions and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Civtec Cıvata, one of the leading manufacturers in the fasteners industry.
One of Tecde Group's landmark initiatives was the introduction of Aidata, one of Türkiye's first domestic computer brands, in 1984. Tecdelioğlu also serves as a Member of the Board of Directors of Boğaziçi Holding, which operates in the fields of information technologies and consumer electronics.
Having served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association, Tecdelioğlu was elected Chairman of the Board at the Ordinary General Assembly held in April 2022. At the General Assembly held in 2026, he was re-elected for a second term as Chairman of the Board.
Since 2022, he has also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM).
Believing in the importance of sharing his professional knowledge and experience through civil society organizations, Tecdelioğlu currently holds the following positions:
He is married, has three children, and is fluent in English.
Erdem ÇENESİZ
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice Chairman of Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Soil Products Exporters' Association
Mr. Çenesiz who was born in Turhal which is sub province of Tokat in 1972 as a member of a family from Çorum had his elementary, secondary and high school education in Samsun. In addition to his associate degree of Business Management in Gazi University, bachelor degree of Business Management in Anadolu University, he had his master's degree of Business Management in Moldova Chinisau State University and studied MBA program in Newport International University.
Mr. Çenesiz who has begun to work in a family-owned business with deep-rooted industrial history, performs the task of chairmanship ECE Group which now holds a corporate structure on ECE Holding's doorstep in 2007, founding back to 1946. He is leading the processes of growing, export, branding and international collaborations of the group companies which area active in lines of ceramics, sanitary ware, bathroom products, construction materials, ceramics technologies and industrial production.
In addition to his tasks in ECE Holding, Çenesiz performs the task of CEO in Turkiye of Ideal Standard which is an essential brand in bathroom products sector worldwide. Moreover, he led the process of Italian-originated brand ISVEA to be attributed to Turkiye and its production infrastructure to be transferred to Turkiye; is managing company's strategies in growing, export, branding as the chairman of ISVEA Seramik ve Banyo Ürünleri A.Ş.
Erdem Çenesiz who also plays an active role in sectoral representation and civil society studies holds over supervisory board member of DEİK, vice president of TOBB Ceramics and Refractory Assembly, executive advisory board member in Turkish Ceramics Federation and TÜRKONFED and chairman of UNICERA International Fair Organisation.
He previously held over major roles such as Turkish Ceramics Federation Chairmanship, Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Earthenware Exporters Cooperation Chairmanship, TÜRKONFED chairmanship DEİK Tunisia Work Council Chairmanship, Central Black Sea Industrial Business People Federation Chairmanship, Ceramics Sanitary Wares Manufacturers Association Chairmanship, ÇORUMSİAD Chairmanship and Executive Board member of TÜGİAD.
Erdem Çenesiz is proceeding on contributing Turkish Export development with his experience in industry, export, branding, international collaborations and sectoral representative lines.
Güven KARACA
TİM Sectors Council Member
Coordinating Chairman of the Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters' Associations
Chairman of the Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters' Association
He was born in Eskişehir in 1977 and completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in the city.
After graduating from the Faculty of Business Administration at Anadolu University, Güven Karaca became actively involved in the business world. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of a group of companies operating in the leather, leather goods, hospitality, and construction sectors.
He is married and has two children.
Hasan Osman SABIR
TİM Sectors Council Member
Chairman of the Board of Blacksea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Association
Coordinator Chairman of the Blacksea Exporters' Associations
He was born in Trabzon in 1969. He graduated from Bilkent University, Department of Management in 1992. After his graduation, SABIR started his career at SABIRLAR Hazelnut as Deputy General Manager and then General Manager in the same company in 1996. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC-Spain) and Ambassador of INC for Türkiye.
Having been a Board Member of Blacksea Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Association since 2014, SABIR won the elections and became the Chairman of the Board in 2022. Hasan Osman SABIR is married with three children and speaks fluent English.
Hüseyin MEMİŞOĞLU
TİM Sectors Council Member
Board Member of Denizli Exporters Association
Hüseyin Memişoğlu was born in Denizli in 1964.
He completed his primary, secondary and high school education in Denizli. He began his higher education at the Faculty of Communication of Ege University; however, due to the need to take an active role in the commercial activities of the family company, he discontinued his studies and turned to business life.
Following his military service, Mr. Memişoğlu officially embarked on his business career. As part of his entrepreneurial activities, he founded Cemeteks, Makroteks and Makroteks USA, companies operating in the home textile sector. He has been engaged in the production and export of home textiles for many years.
In addition to his business activities, Hüseyin Memişoğlu has also undertaken active roles in non-governmental organizations. He served as the president of the Babadağ Industrialists and Business People Association (BASİAD) for five years.
Between 2005 and 2018, he served as Vice President and President of the Assembly of the Denizli Chamber of Commerce.
Since 2008, he has held the positions of Board Member and Vice President of the Denizli Exporters Association, during which he also served for a short period as President.
Between 2018 and 2026, he served as President of the Denizli Exporters Association.
Hüseyin Memişoğlu currently serves as a Board Member of the Denizli Exporters Association and also holds the position of Vice President of the Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Sector Council.
He is married and has three children. He has an intermediate level of English.
Hüseyin ŞAŞMAZ
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice Chairman of the Jewellery Exporters' Association
Hüseyin Şaşmaz was born on 10 May 1986 in the village of Yolağzı, located in the Midyat district of Mardin, Türkiye. After completing his primary and secondary education at the local village school, he continued his high school education in Istanbul and graduated from Başakşehir Anatolian High School.
Şaşmaz began his higher education by studying Public Administration and Political Science at Anadolu University before earning a bachelor's degree in Media and Communications from Istanbul University. Pursuing his academic development abroad, Hüseyin Şaşmaz completed the Economics at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.
Hüseyin Şaşmaz began his professional career as a broker at a brokerage firm affiliated with the Istanbul Gold Exchange, where he worked between 2005 and 2009. Hüseyin Şaşmaz transitioned into the jewellery industry after building on his experience on finance, Since 2011, Hüseyin Şaşmaz has served as the General Manager of Azzuro, one of Türkiye's leading jewellery manufacturers. In this role, he has made significant contributions to representing the Turkish jewellery industry in both domestic and international markets.
In addition to his executive responsibilities, Hüseyin Şaşmaz serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jewellery Exporters' Association, one of the sector's highest representative bodies. In this capacity, Hseyin Şaşmaz closely follows developments in the jewellery industry and actively contributes to projects and initiatives that help shape the sector's strategic policies.
Beyond his professional achievements, Hüseyin Şaşmaz is widely recognized for his commitment to social responsibility and vocational education. Reflecting this vision, Hüseyin Şaşmaz played a pioneering role in establishing the Jewellery Workshop at the Midyat Campus of Mardin Artuklu University. The workshop aims to preserve traditional craftsmanship, combine local artisanal expertise with contemporary design principles, and provide high-quality vocational training opportunities for young people in the region. More than simply a production facility, the workshop is envisioned as a center for cultural preservation, artistic creativity, and knowledge transfer.
With his extensive industry expertise, forward-looking vision, and strong commitment to education, Hüseyin Şaşmaz continues to make valuable contributions to the sustainable development of the jewellery industry at both the national and international levels.
İbrahim PEKTAŞ
Board Member of Steel Exporters' Association
Born in Malatya, Türkiye, in 1953, İbrahim Pektaş graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Çukurova University in 1976. He subsequently completed a Master's Program in Macroeconomics at Western Illinois University, USA.
Mr. Pektaş began his professional career in 1977 as an Assistant Labour Inspector at the Ministry of Labour. In 1980, he was appointed Head of the Export Incentives Group at the State Planning Organization. He continued his career in 1988 as an Advisor to the Minister of State. In 1989, he joined Turkish Airlines, where he served as a Member of the Board of Auditors, Member of the Board of Directors, and Deputy General Manager.
Since 1992, Mr. Pektaş has held senior executive and board positions within Diler Holding A.Ş. and its affiliated companies. He has served as a Member of the Board of Directors of Diler Demir Çelik Endüstri ve Ticaret A.Ş., Diler Dış Ticaret A.Ş., and Yazıcı Demir Çelik Sanayi ve Turizm Ticaret A.Ş. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Diler Investment Bank A.Ş. and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asil Çelik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.
In 1994, Mr. Pektaş was elected Chairman of the Steel Exporters' Association. Between 1995 and 2005, he served as Vice Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM). Since 2010, he has continued to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Steel Exporters' Association and currently remains a Member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Exporters Assembly.
Mr. Pektaş is married and has three children.
İbrahim YILMAZ
TİM Sectors Council Member
Chairman of Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters Association
Born in Trabzon in 1970, İBRAHİM YILMAZ graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at Atatürk University in Erzurum. He began his professional career in 1993 in Antalya as an agricultural engineer in the private sector. He later began production and export in the cut flower sector through Tempo Tarım Ltd. Şti., of which he was a founding partner. He also established ABANNE Seedling Production Ltd. Co., which operates in the same sector and specializes in seedling production, as his second company. Through his greenhouses in Antalya and Isparta, he produces cut flowers and seedlings, exporting them to many countries.
He served as a member of the Board of Directors at the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 12 years and as a delegate to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
Since April 2026, he has served as President of the Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association.
He is married and has two children.
İskender KAPLAN
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice President of Southeast Anatolian Carpet Exporters Association
İskender KAPLAN was born in Gaziantep, Turkey in 1987. He received his high school education at Gaziantep Kolej Vakfı .
He is a shareholder of Milat Carpet Industry and Trade Inc. in Türkiye, Milat Carpet Bulgaria in Bulgaria, and Milat Egypt for Carpet Manufacturing in Egypt.
He has been active in the carpet manufacturing industry for many years and currently serves as a member of the board of directors in these companies. He plays an active role in sales and marketing and closely follows developments in the sector.
He is fluent in English. He is married and has four children.
Kutlu KARAVELİOĞLU
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice President of Machinery Exporters Association (MAIB)
Born in Ankara, on November 14, 1961; graduated from TED Ankara College and received both his Bc.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Middle East Technical University (METU).
Currently holding the positions of deputy chairman at Samsun Machinery Industries Inc. and executive director of Layne Bowler Pump Industries Inc.
Mr. Karavelioğlu made significant efforts to create a well-structured machinery manufacturing industry since 1996. He has served in the management of the Machinery Manufacturers Association (MİB), the Association of Turkish Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers (TARMAKBIR) and Turkish Foundation of Small and Medium Enterprises (TOSYOV), and was among the founders and directors of the Turkish Pump and Valve Manufacturers' Association (POMSAD), Turkish Mechanical Industry Platform (MSSP), Machinery Exporters' Association (MAIB), and the Turkish Machinery Federation (MAKFED).
Sectoral Duties (since) :
2016 - President of the Turkish Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Assembly of 'The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB)'
2018 - Deputy Chairman of Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TIM)
2018 - President of Sustainability and Innovation Committee of 'Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TIM)'
2024 - Vice President of Export Academy of Türkiye
2026 - Deputy Chairman of Machinery Exporters' Association (MAIB)
2026 - President of Turkish Machinery Federation (MAKFED)
International Assignments (since) :
2015 - Representative of Türkiye in European Engineering Industries Association (ORGALIM)
2017 - The Former President and a Member of Executive Council of the European Association of Pump Manufacturers (EUROPUMP).
Latif Aral ALİŞ
Deputy Chairman of Defence and Aerospace Industry Exporters Association (SSI)
Emre UYGUN
TİM Sectors Council Member
Chairman of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association
Mehmet Emre Uygun, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, was born in Istanbul on March 28, 1981.
After graduating from Üsküdar American Academy, he earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Koç University in 2003. Representing the third generation of a family engaged in the olive oil industry, he began his professional career at Uygun Rafine Yağ Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti. In 2008, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association.
He was elected Vice Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Between 2014 and 2018, he also served as a Member of the TİM Sectors Council.
From 2017 to 2024, Uygun served on the Board of Directors of the National Olive and Olive Oil Council. In 2024, he was elected Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association. Re-elected as Chairman in 2026, he was also elected for a second term as a Member of the TİM Sectors Council at the 33rd General Assembly of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), held on June 26, 2026.
Emre Uygun is married, has two children, and is fluent in English.
Melisa TOKGÖZ MUTLU
Vice Chairman, Istanbul Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association
Vice Chairman, Processed Fruit and Vegetable Products Sector Board
Born in Istanbul in 1978, Melisa Tokgöz Mutlu graduated from the Italian High School and earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Koç University in 2002.
She began her professional career in 1998 while still pursuing her university education at Cherry Valley Gıda Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti., an Italian-Turkish joint venture. She currently serves as the General Manager and Partner of the company. In addition, she continues to hold a senior executive position at Futem Temsilcilik ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti., her family-owned company operating in the food industry.
Within the family business group, she became one of the founding partners of the ACCRACT brand in 2013, which specializes in glass design and decorative products. In 2024, she expanded the company's business portfolio by introducing the L'Atelier Accract brand, entering the ready-to-wear fashion sector.
Through her active roles in non-governmental organizations and exporters' associations, Melisa Tokgöz Mutlu has made significant contributions to the development of the sector. She served as Chairman of the Processed Fruit and Vegetable Products Sector Board between 2012 and 2022 and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association from 2013 to 2018. From April 2018 to April 2026, she served as Chairman of the Association's Board of Directors and was re-elected as Vice Chairman in April 2026.
She currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and as Chair of the TIM Agriculture Council. She is the only female member serving on the TIM Board of Directors. In these roles, she leads strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring the sustainable growth of agricultural and food exports, increasing value-added production and exports, enhancing international competitiveness, and fostering a shared vision for the sector.
She is actively involved in initiatives that promote stronger representation of women in business and the export ecosystem, support young exporters, encourage sustainable agricultural practices, and enhance the global brand value of Turkish food products. She also contributes to various non-governmental organizations and social responsibility projects.
Melisa Tokgöz Mutlu is married, has two children, and is fluent in English and Italian.
Metin ÇEKİÇ
TİM Sectors Council Member
Coordinator Chairman of Istanbul Mineral and Metals Exporters Association
Chairman of Istanbul Mineral Exporters' Association
Metin Çekiç was born in 1963 in the Emirdağ district of Afyonkarahisar. He graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Istanbul Technical University in 1985. He began his professional career as a Civil Engineer at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Aircraft Factory in Eskişehir and later worked at Doğuş Construction. After completing his master's degree in the United Kingdom, he pursued studies in business administration. Upon returning to Türkiye, he assumed key roles in his family's companies operating in the mining and tourism sectors.
Since 2021, he has served as Chairman of the Board of the Eskişehir Mining Cluster. In 2022, he became a Member of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Mineral Exporters' Association and a Member of the Board of the Mining Sector Council of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM). He also served as a Member of the Assembly of the Eskişehir Chamber of Industry for three consecutive terms and continues to serve as an Assembly Member representing the mining sector. In addition, he served as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Mineral Exporters' Association from 2024 to 2026.
He is married, has two children, and is fluent in English and has an intermediate command of Italian.
Murat BAKIR
TİM Sectors Council Member
Chairman of the Board of the Southeastern Anatolia Dried Fruits and Products Exporters' Association
Born in 1978 in the Nizip district of Gaziantep, Murat Bakır began his education in Gaziantep and completed his high school education at Bayraktar Anatolian High School. He began his higher education in Hotel Management at Akdeniz University and subsequently earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration, further strengthening his academic background in business and management.
As part of his continuing professional development, he attended various training programs in corporate governance and business management at Boğaziçi University, gaining expertise in modern management techniques, strategic planning, and institutionalization.
Murat Bakır began his professional career at Antepsan Kuruyemiş, where he played an active role from the company's establishment. Since its founding in 2008, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Antepsan Kuruyemiş. He has extensive business experience, particularly in the fields of nuts, confectionery, local products, and foreign trade.
Bakır is fluent in English and has an intermediate command of German. In addition to his professional career, he has a keen interest in sports and is a licensed tennis player and swimmer.
He is married and has two children.
Oğuzhan ALTUN
TİM Sectors Council Member
Chairman of the Türkiye Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Associations Sector Board
Vice Chairman of the Mediterranean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association
Born in İskenderun on November 12, 1978, Oğuzhan Altun graduated from İbni Sina Anatolian High School.
He began his professional career in 1995 at his family company, Altun Gıda. With nearly 30 years of experience in the sector, he has been actively involved in all stages of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, from production to international trade. He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors of Altun Gıda, one of Türkiye's leading producers and exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables, contributing to the company's strategic management, international growth vision, and global trade operations.
Throughout his career, he has managed export and import operations across numerous international markets, particularly in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the European Union, the Middle East, and Latin America. He has also pioneered the development of joint production models across different regions, contributing to the establishment of uninterrupted and sustainable year-round supply chains. He has extensive experience in international trade, supply chain management, production planning, and new market development.
Oğuzhan Altun has also played an active role in sectoral representation for many years. For more than 16 years, he has held various positions within the Mediterranean Exporters' Associations and assumed responsibilities at different levels of its management. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Mediterranean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association and Chairman of the Türkiye Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Associations Sector Board.
He is fluent in English and Romanian, has an intermediate command of Russian and Arabic, and is married with three children.
Orhan Gazi YİĞİTBAŞI
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice President of Service Exporters Assembly
Prof. Dr. Gazi Yiğitbaşı was born in Afyon in 1965. Professor Yiğitbaşı graduated from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1988. Between 1989 and 1993, Professor Yiğitbaşı served as a research assistant in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine. At the same university, Professor Yiğitbaşı was appointed Assistant Professor in 1996, Associate Professor in 1999, and Professor in 2005.
During an extensive academic career, Professor Yiğitbaşı served as a visiting observer at the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh and worked for two years as a researcher at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Professor Yiğitbaşı has authored numerous scientific studies published in national and international journals. Academic distinctions include the “Faculty Member Contributing the Highest Number of International Publications” award from Erciyes University and the first-place award in the field of Clinical Translational Research in a scientific competition organized by the University of Texas in 2004.
In addition to academic work, Professor Yiğitbaşı has held senior executive roles in the healthcare sector. From April 2005 to November 2011, Professor Yiğitbaşı served as Chief Physician of İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital. During this tenure, the implementation of the main components of the “Health Transformation Program” was led under Professor Yiğitbaşı's administration. In recognition of these efforts, Professor Yiğitbaşı was granted the “Outstanding Achievement Award” by the İzmir Konak District Governorship in 2009 and by the İzmir Governorship in 2010.
In November 2011, Professor Yiğitbaşı left public-sector service to assume the role of Medical Director during the establishment of Medipol Mega University Hospital. Within this structure, Professor Yiğitbaşı played an active role in the development and implementation of the “Foundation University–Private Hospital Collaboration Model,” which was introduced for the first time in Türkiye. Since July 2018, Professor Yiğitbaşı has continued to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Medical Director of Istanbul Medipol University.
Prof. Dr. O. Gazi Yiğitbaşı has applied extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of healthcare and education to initiatives focused on the export of healthcare and education services, thereby making significant contributions to the development of service sectors. Within this framework, Professor Yiğitbaşı served as Chair of the Health Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) in 2018. Following two years of work in this role, Professor Yiğitbaşı was granted the “Best Member Relations and Highest Member Acquisition” award by the DEİK Board of Directors. Since the beginning of 2020, Professor Yiğitbaşı has served as a Member of the DEİK Board of Directors and currently continues to serve as Vice Chair of the Education Business Council under DEİK.
In addition to these roles, Professor Yiğitbaşı served as Chair of the Healthcare Committee of the Service Exporters' Association (HİB) between 2018 and 2026. Following the elections held in April 2026, this responsibility was transferred upon Professor Yiğitbaşı's assumption of the role of Chair of the Education Services Committee. Having served as a member of the Board of Directors of HİB since the Association's establishment in 2018, Professor Yiğitbaşı continues to serve as Vice President of HİB following the most recent Association election. Following the elective General Assembly of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) held in June 2026, Professor Yiğitbaşı continues to serve as a member of the TİM Sectors Council, representing the services sector.
Within the scope of these responsibilities, Professor Yiğitbaşı actively contributes to efforts aimed at increasing Türkiye's exports across all fields, with a particular focus on strengthening the country's capacity in healthcare and education services exports, which are among Türkiye's significant export areas.
Ömer Celal UMUR
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice Chairman of the Board, Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association
Ömer Celal Umur, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association, was born in Istanbul on August 10, 1968.
After completing his middle school education at Saint Joseph French High School in İzmir and his secondary education at Bryanston School in the United Kingdom, he pursued higher education in the United States, graduating from the Department of International Relations at Tufts University.
Umur began his professional career in 1991 at Richard Ellis in London. Since 1993, he has been serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of T.T.L. Tütün Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş. in İzmir.
Between 1999 and 2018, he served as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association. In 2018, he was elected Chairman of the Board of the Association and was re-elected in 2022.
He was elected as a Member of the TİM Sectors Council in 2018, 2022, and 2026.
Ömer Celal Umur is married and has two children. He is fluent in English and French. His principal interests include Ottoman and Turkish history and the game of bridge.
Saadettin ÇAĞAN
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mediterranean Chemical Products and Derivatives (AKMİB)
Saadettin Çağan was born on September 10, 1974, in Ceyhan, Adana. He completed his primary and secondary education in Ceyhan. He graduated from university in 2001 with a degree in civil engineering. In the same year, he started his professional life in his family company, Nur-İş PVC Kereste İnşaat Taahhüt Yapı Elemanları Pazarlama Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti. He took an active role in the management of the company and spearheaded the development of production and export activities in the building materials sector. Saadettin Çağan, who is married and a father of three, is actively involved in business life in the fields of production, export, and sector representation.
He became a member of the Board of Directors of the Mediterranean Chemical Products and Derivatives (AKMİB) in 2018. From 2021 to 2025, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mediterranean Chemical Products and Derivatives Exporters Association (AKMİB). During his term, he led efforts to increase the export capacity of the chemical sector, expand into new target markets, organize international fairs and trade delegations, and enhance the competitiveness of exporting companies.
During his term as a chairman, he led projects that contributed to strengthening AKMİB's export performance; in particular, he spearheaded increased trade delegations and promotional activities targeting the Turkic Republics, Africa, and Latin American markets. He also worked towards the sustainable growth of the chemical sector, the development of value-added production, and the diversification of exports.
Currently, he is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mediterranean Chemical Products and Derivatives (AKMİB) and a member of the Sectors Council of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM).
Salih Zeki POYRAZ
TİM Sectors Council Member
Vice President of the Turkish HVAC-R Exporters' Association
Born in Kayseri in 1962, Zeki Poyraz graduated from Ankara University's Department of Persian Language and Literature in 1985. While continuing his studies, he entered the business world in 1982 by working in the construction sector, his father's profession, at Poyraz Construction Inc., one of Ankara's leading construction companies, of which he was a founding partner. Since 1987, Poyraz has been involved in industry and has made significant investments in various sectors. In 1991, he founded AFS Pipe Industry Inc. in Ankara, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board and is a founding partner. Zeki Poyraz holds positions in numerous international and national associations. He is the Vice President of the Turkish HVAC-R Exporters' Association and also serves as the Vice President of the Turkish Climatization Council of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey. Married with three children, Poyraz has published many research and cultural publications for AFS and ISIB.