Made in Bursa

Bursa attracts investors by offering challenging opportunities

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cially for market-seeking and efficiency-seeking investors. Domestic market with high growth potential, access to global markets, qualified labor force, developed production and transportation infrastructure and industrial clusters increase the competitiveness of Bursa.

Bursa has: -Advanced infrastructure, dynamic entrepreneurs, the high quality of work and attractive investment climate -Clusters in automotive, textile, machinery, food and furniture. Page 13

ISSN 1300-2260

ursa, which hosts hundreds of multinational companies, is a dynamic market and a global investment destination.

Bursa is attracting all kinds of Foreign Direct Investment such as green-field and high-tech investments. It offers great opportunities espe-

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Bursa Thermal Springs Keep on Healing B ursa, one of the richest cities of Turkey in terms of natural thermal and spring resources, still keeps on offering health for citizens from these resources. These thermal spring places, which also historically possess an important place, have been used by nations varying from Romans to Ottomans.

These natural healing resources, which provide better results by being used along with modern medical methods, have an important place in the development of medical tourism. Bursa Health Care Tourism Association Executive Board President Dr Metin Yurdakoş told us the history, therapeutic methods and outcomes over the health care tourism.

Firstly, could you please tell us about yourself?

I am Dr. Metin Yurdakoc. I am a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist. For long years I have served for Turkish Armed Forces. I was retired in 2002. We have been working for the treatment of patients for 24 years in Bursa Cekirge at physical therapy and rehabilitation center by implementing thermal spring

History of Bursa, a city that harbors a variety of landmarks of different cultures

cures in conjunction with a team challenging for patient therapies.

What is the significance of thermal spring waters in Bursa? As per their historical past, when were thermal spring waters firstly discovered?

The thing we call thermal or spring water is one of the naturally originated health care elements. Entire world turned its attention to natural cure resources.

As one of the most important one in terms of thermal and spring waters, Turkey possesses considerably abundant resources. Bursa on the other hand, is one of the predominant cities possessing these abundant sources. People have been taking advantage of those thermal spring waters for centuries. Page 15

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s the first capital of the Ottoman Empire with a history dating back to 4000BC at the heart of the silk and spice trade and Turkey’s fourth largest and advanced city, Bursa is the hub of many monuments and historical works nowadays. It has been the capital of many civilizations and religions for centuries, as well. The city’s skyline is comprised of historical landmarks varying from mosques to madrasas and from churches to baths.

Attracting attention for its natural beauty as well as its rich cultural heritage Bursa is also a much preferred holiday resort for winter sports. Both winter and outdoor sports enthusiasts frequently go to Uludag in Bursa. Page 10

Health Care Tourism Association Executive Board President Dr Metin Yurdakoş

Meeting of thermal and health

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he Governor Karaloglu: “The health tourism has become a state policy. Our country targets to gain $10 billion of income from the health tourism by 2018.” The Bursa Governorship and Special Province Administration held a panel entitled “Geothermal Resources in Bursa” in the scope of increasing service quality in g e o ther-

Governor of Bursa Munir Karaloglu

mal tourism.

Speaking at the panel, Governor of Bursa Munir Karaloglu said: “The health tourism has become a state policy. Our country targets to gain $10 billion of income from the health tourism by 2018. The Ministry of Health has proclaimed three provinces as targeted provinces across Turkey. One of them is Bursa.” Stating that the sector should accelerate the investments, the Governor Karaloglu said: “Currently one of the three provinces is our city, the government of the Turkish Republic which expects an income through the health tourism worth $10 billion by 2018. The existing geothermal resources, capacity in the medical health facilities and quality and other tourism potential in the city is the biggest reason in being chosen of Bursa. Today, Bursa is rediscovering a very important value that we do not use wholly, but we comprehend newly, omitting it for a long time. You know my colleague before me has laid the line of 18 kilometers with the great efforts by setting up Geothermal Inc. there is possibility to supply hot water to all hotels, all health organizations whenever they want. Page 10

Health Tourism Gumtop promotes Evaluated in Istanbul health tourism

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n Gumtop Gumtop is a regional association and has seven other member cities, namely, Bursa, Balikesir, Bilecik, Kutahya, Eskisehir and Canakkale. We try to promote ties among members, to solve problems and to represent our members in several events, including the fairs. The union also classify our member businesses by visiting them and also participates in the relations with ministry of tourism. Page 15

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uthorities from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Family and Social Policies, Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ministry

Turkey’s first Archeopark ready for summer

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arrying out studies at Archeopark, which encompasses 8500 years long history under its composition, stated that the preparation works in Archeopark had been continuing since the year 2004 and that it would totally be operational in summer months with the its administrative building, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms and central building. Page 10

Uludağ: An attraction center for winter sports and tourism of Economics joined the evaluation meeting held in Istanbul by the Ministry of Health General Directorate of Health Promotion. Page 13

The legend of Iskender Kebab There has been a long dated bloodline between the mother side and the farther side of Yavuz İskenderoğlu.

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Merinos ACCC, a new ideal congress destination in Turkey

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he “Congress Culture Centre (Merinos ACCC)” was built by the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and was officially opened in June 2010. Since the opening date 2500 events including international and national congresses, symposiums, seminars, festivals, plays, ceremonies, concerts, art performances and many little meetings with more than 1.700.000 visitors have been hosted in Merinos ACCC in 45 months. 25 of these events were big international congresses. Page 7

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ludağ the ancient Mysian Olympus, is a mountain in Bursa Province, Turkey, with an altitude of 2,543 m (8,343 ft). It is a popular center for winter sports such as skiing, and a national park of rich flora and fauna. Summer activities, such as trekking and camping, also are popular.

Mt. Uludağ is the highest mountain of the Marmara region. Page 11

Bursa Kamp-Karavan reaches its facilities Bursa Kamp Karavan Association wait foreigner visitors to the northwestern province of Bursa Page 3

Doors open to art at Gölyazı The buildings which have found life again, have been opened to service as Gölyazı Culture Home and Göl Yazıevi after being restored by Nilüfer Municipality.

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SINPAŞ GYO Let Bursa Modern Project Enter Into Force

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n addition to safety in terms of construction and life, having also a good impression with the modern style, “Bursa Modern” offers a brand new life area. Page 6

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

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R&D Brokerage Event for textile & clothing by UTIB

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&D BROKERAGE EVENT is a well-known brand for R&D and innovation in the textile and clothing industry. The traditional summit conference held in Bursa each year is going to be organized at Merinos Ataturk Congress and Culture Center, the second biggest congress center of Turkey, on the 3rd -4th of April, 2014. The R&D project market summit is; on the basis of sector/industry, permanent, international, and the only international R&D market summit for the Textile and Clothing Sector of Turkey.

The traditional summit that has gained the support of TUBITAK TEYDEB first time in our sector since 2009, is carrying out in collaboration with Bursa Textile and Clothing R&D Center (BUTEKOM), Uludag University and Bursa Technical University from Turkey, Hohenstein Institute from Germany, Deakin University from Australia, Textile Industry Research Association (AITEX ) from Spain, Beijing University of Chemical Technology from Chine, The Korea Textile Development Institute from South Korea and Kyoto Institute Of Technology from Japan and with support of Bursa Eskisehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEBKA).

Through this great event, it is aimed to have Textile and Apparel Sector to achieve high value added production and perform sustainable export. To this end, it is aimed to turn project ideas into partnerships and have this likely partnerships present industry – university Joint Project proposals for the Research and Development Outreach Programs by clustering domestic and foreign faculty members, major research and development and techno park employees, researchers and the representatives of industry organizations. Throughout the day, project poster presentations will be performed on the boards and thus tripartite conferences and bilateral discussions between university-industry-academics and research institutes will be carried out. UTIB R&D BROKERAGE EVENT has been continuously organized by UTIB and BTSO in Bursa for the past 6 years. Also this year, IV. Turkish Home Textile Design Competition and Award Ceremony will be held parallel with the main event.

And, general categories of textiles and R&D project proposals of academics and researchers, which have been approved by the evaluation committee, would be exhibited in the notice boards in the lounge. Exporters and industrialists can examine these projects exhibited on the notice boards in the lounge. Proposals appealing have the opportunity to be converted into partnerships. Partnership will help both to put the projects into practice. Also, the participants in the summit will be informed about the supporting mechanisms of various R&D corporations.

The R&D project markets aims to create high value added innovative production, capability to produce new products required by the industry to make export operations sustainable, to develop new cost reduction techniques and to make use of new production technologies.

Qualities of the projects proposed have increased noticeably year after year. For the 2014 summit, More than 15 thousand exporters, industrialists, academicians and researchers will be invited from Turkey and overseas, which is going to be organized on the 3rd and 4th of April 2014.

The project categories of this year are: • Mobiltech • Hometech and Home Textiles • Buildtech • Protech and Military Textiles • Functional Clothing Textiles • Other Textiles Project proposals will be evaluated by an independent jury and there will be rewards for successful projects.

Furthermore, Innovatıon League of Turkish Textile and Clothing Sector will be carried out for the first time in this year. The most innovative companies will be selected through a survey that is only for the Turkish companies acting in textile and clothing sector. These companies will be entitled to membership of Innovatıon League all year round and will benefit from its advantages.

It will be great honor for me to host you in Turkey and I hope to meet you at UTİB 6 th International R&D Brokerage Event in Turkish Textile and Clothing Sector that has been chosen by Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) as a model for other 17 sector.

For further information: http://www.utibargeprojepazari.com/ www.butekom.org www.uib.org.tr

Bosch invests in logistic worth 9 euro

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s a leading global supplier of technology and services, Bosch has installed a Material Flow Center in the northwestern city of Bursa. Bosch Turkey exports number of 35 million products per annum, 90 percent to Europe and 10 percent to America, Korea and Japan. Producing diesel and gasoline injection systems for over 30 vehicle brands, the factory in Bursa supplies injectors for one-fifth of diesel vehicles manufactured across the world. While meeting its shipment needs that stem from high production units through its new installed Material Flow Center, it has also opened extra space over 10 thousand sq meters at its production facilities. As a leading global supplier of technology and services, Bosch has installed a Material Flow Center on an area of 7 thousand sq meters to meet increased production and logistic needs for its three factories in Bursa. With this center, Bosch aims to generate synergy and to gain 20 percent efficiency using this synergy, as well as bringing together its logistic employees at its factories.

Extra production space over 10 thousand sq meters Bringing together its logistic purpose depots at its factories, Bosch has also opened an extra production space over 10 thousand sq meters at its manufacturing facilities. The demands from the production facilities are met with ‘Milkrun’ trips that are

managed as nonstop.

“We have already achieved 10% of efficiency that we aimed as 20%” Dieter Wohlfarth, General Manager for Commercial of Bursa Bosch, said, “Together with installment of the logistic center and completion of moving process, we have currently gained 10% of efficiency that we aim to reach 20 percentage. As for another target, it is to make up a regular and systematic flow at the depot by planning for our every employee to work at which hour, where and how many hours by standardizing our processes.

In order to achieve this, our standard working model project is continuing.” Totally costing 9 million euro, having built up on an area of 7 thousand sq meters, the center has a hangar with the space of 2,343 sq meters. The facility has a high voluminous shelf for the number of 3,500-pallet, a 500 sq-meter space for supermarket, and 300 sq meters for finished products at the center. Daily direct materials account for the number of 250 pallets and 500 unit indirect materials come to the center. In addition, as 2 times in a day during six days in a week the number of 120 pallets and 2 truck trailers are dispatched on average. Daily 9-unit Milkrun trips happen through the customs and local supplier industries. Besides, the number of 48 different trips is carried out at Bosch factories during a day.

A taste not ageing since 50 years: Abdal Bagel Owen

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agel is a taste that Anatolian human cannot quit… Sometime escorts to slender tea cup facing to the Istanbul strait, sometime it become a snack. Blending with every region’s water and flour it is produced as a distinctive taste. One of the best samples to this is Abdal Simit Fırını in the northwestern province of Bursa…

Since 16th century Having mentioned that having a history goes back to the 16th century, the oven started by Resul Sahin in 1969 throwing the first firewood into the oven. Still standing on foot, we listened to a 50-year history of the oven from Guray Sahin who is the second generation representative.

Responding our question why Abdal Simit Fırın is liked so much, Guray Sahin said, “Bagels are cooked in the firewood oven.” Telling from the first years to date, Sahin continued; “Our history of the oven goes back to 16th century. Of course at those times it had been serving as an oven. Later this was purchased by my father Resul Sahin in 1969. We serve as Abdal Simit Fırın since that time to date.

Why don’t you open a branch in other place? Primarily reason is that if you produce bagel, opening its branches is very difficult. Bagel is not a product such as pie or pastry products to be made at a single manufacturing house, keeping in a cupboard, and then being baked. Bagel is a product requires hot production, instant processing and baking. Depending on these, it must be produced with a very careful control mechanism. Due to staying continuously at the work, we can oversee how our workers do their jobs and if necessary we can interfere. When open a branch at any other place, this time it will require dividing. The dwellers who live in west of the city say why don’t you open a branch here? When we open a branch there, maybe the customers will come here to buy bagels. Because we cannot trace the work and the customers cannot find the same taste. For this reason, we do not go to branching.

In fact our customers ranging from Iznik district to a number of towns come here to buy bagels.

What makes Abdal Simit Fırın be special? What is the reason; people come from remote locations so much to eat this?

Primarily the ingredients that we use are special and high in quality. The flour we use is the best flour of the Konya plain. Processing this flour for bagel is very difficult and requires a distinctive mastership. We use the pie flour and making bagel from this flour is very difficult. It requires mastership and also increases the cost.

The reason is the cost that other bagel bakers not using expensive flour this much. Also our sales are directly towards customers. Not implementing wholesales, we have an advantage in this issue. As I said we are a 50-year firm. We have given this confidence in human beings. They know that absolutely poor quality production would not happen at Abdal Simit Fırın. We have not experienced any problem in this long time. They like our plus taste. For this reason, we are pre-

ferred. A firm which produces food standing on feet for a long time and being liked is a great chance. Everything was here before the city shifted to west. At that time people lived here and they reached the oven easer. In fact, attracting the people from there to here is a success for us. Because of the people come from a 20-kilometer distance to buy bagel. This shows that we are successful.

Would you tell us how this bagel is made?

Our basic ingredient is flour. Firstly the flour is converted to bagel dough in the manufacturing house. In order to make this dough, bagel must wait for a while for processing. Then the dough is cut in a certain weight and left to rest. Later it being tied in the bagel shape and dipped into hot grape molasses cauldron. This mixture is made of hot water and grape molasses. Remaining 15 seconds in this cauldron, after being infiltrated from the water the bagel rings are processed with the sesames. The molasses makes bagels roast better and adhering of the sesames. In addition, it gives a good flavor. Lastly, bagels

are put into oven which is heated by firewood to bake in a certain time and then offered to service. This time takes 5-10 minutes on average.

Do you have other products?

We have flatbread with sesame paste special to Bursa and we send this to Istanbul every day. We ourselves do not make this service but those who go to Istanbul buy and take together.

Last day, someone who went to the western city of Izmir, found here by asking. He bought 10 flatbreads and continued to his way. We almost sent our bagels to everywhere of the world as well. Due to Turkish people existing in every country of Europe they come here to buy the bagels. We also know our customers who buy our products and take to Canada, America, Arabian countries. For this reason, we are happy. We work to serve better every time and we also wait for our customers to taste this flavor.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

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Bursa Kamp-Karavan attains its facilities B

ursa Kamp Karavan Association wait foreigner visitors to the northwestern province of Bursa Having installed on an area of 12 thousand sq meters in Misi Village, the first Camp-Caravan area of Bursa province has entered into force in October 2013.

Hosting many visitors both from the home and abroad, the facility conforms to the European standards with its wide green areas, safety, naturalness and clean social facilities. Established next to the Nilüfer brook including wide social facilities, the camp area feature as an excellent facility with the number of 38 caravan capacity. We, as “Made in Bursa” newspaper toured these facilities and got ideas from the managers of the association about facility. Bursa Camp and Caravan Association Executive Board Chairman Tekin Urunlu said, they would beautify this association together with the members who have set their hearts on this business for years.

Q- Would you brief us about the facilities?

• The facilities are in the structure of Nilüfer Municipality, but we manage. Managing these kinds of places which are in the structure of the municipality has some rules. Now, we have completed the foundation works and have come to the stage to transfer capital from the budget. So, we are continuing to our works to manage this business with the company structure. After passing this stage, we will offer this facility to the service of caravan tourism completely as operational by spending money. We do not consider this facility only directed towards camp-caravan tourism. As a person who worked in the tourism field for long years, I can say that campcaravan tourism is a very different business. On the divisions, at the back of reception building, those who come together with their tents can accommodate as well. Apart from this, we think to serve catering service at our social facilities for our employees. Shortly, we are planning to bring out here to an active center. Our facility has been at a point extremely beautiful as naturel. At the same time, it is very near to the city. The colleagues who are assigned in Camp-Caravan Association have given their years to this work. The facilities that look like to this are very few in Turkey.

Q- In your opinion what kind of events should be held related here?

• It is necessary to go to schools and speak. Briefing children about scouting and also works should be done in this issue. Students with their families can spend their leisure time in the natural condition by taking tent together. It is necessary to offer this life style and this beauty to them and make them like this naturalness. If there is an ambition in heart of someone related with this life, they can emerge it by seeing this life here. Most caravan fans after seeing inside of a caravan begins to

have a passion for this activity. As we said, schools are very important in this issue. Connecting with the necessary official bodies we must organize these events.

Q- Would you inform about visitors who come here since October? What kinds of possibilities do you offer to the caravan fans?

• Our visitors come from many of the regions across Turkey. In addition, caravan fans from abroad come to our facilities. In particular, caravan fans from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and France come here. As long

happy accommodating here. We witnessed that those who come for one night stayed for one week. Having hot water, security and wide area are preferable reason for our facilities. We have taken positive reactions from everybody. When we remove little lacks, it will be better.

In Turkey, there are areas in this style. But the campcaravan area which shelters this kind of features is very few. Apart from facilities, our association members who know Camp-Caravan tourism very well and set their heart on this issue are ready here. So this is very impor-

fortable condition.

Q- How do you meet expenses of this facility? Do caravan owners who want to stay here pay any fee?

• Until today, the expenses were met by Nilüfer Municipality. After this our facility will be inspected by our incorporated company which is in the foundation stage. Finally, this company belonging to the municipality and the capital to be transferred by them, the small lacks of our facilities will be removed. Later our facility will enter into activity as a commercial business

as promotion continues, we expect the number of countries and regions will increase. The fan caravan can use here as camping area. Our social facilities have sufficient capacity to host all visitors who come here. There are all necessary divisions such as sanitary facilities bath, toilet and laundry house, and cafeteria. Actually, our Camp-Caravan Association existence here, they contact directly with us in case of any problem.

When we make up the customer potential we are planning a tour to introduce Bursa to them. We think it is a good idea let them entertain and enjoy their leisure time more. We organize this for the caravan fans from Turkey. We inform where can be toured, what can be done where. But we think organizing this together with foreigner tourists as tour organization would be better.

Q- What are the impressions of caravan fans about here? What kind of feedback did you take?

• The visitors who departed specified that they were

tant condition. Besides, the caravan professionals who went from Turkey to Europe visited here. Stating they liked here much, the domestic caravan fans noted our facilities conform to the European standards, having plenty of green area. In fact, carrying out this business being suitable to the naturalness of this work in a natural area, possessing a natural beauty as Misi attracts those who set their heart on this business.

Q- How many caravans can stay here as capacity?

• Currently, the number of 38 caravans can stay and spend leisure time very well easily. We have capacity for 7 big and 31 units for small caravans. However, if demanded, we can increase our capacity. Actually our facilities have been made conforming to the international plan and projects. Regarding featuring as a professional project we will not experience trouble in terms of place.

At the beginning there were over 70 caravans here. All of them found accommodation opportunity in a com-

enterprise along with employment of personnel. As for price, of course there is a little bit cost that we implement. Our colleagues have examined the places across Turkey. We took those places as base and constituted a price in line with the standards. After establishment of our company, we are going to host our guests here by setting fee in April and May. Q- Lastly, what would you like to add?

• Thanks to Nilüfer Municipality we have obtained a very well camp area in the province of Bursa. We were planning this earlier, but we are able to let our plans enter into force now. For this reason we are very happy and proud. We thank much first being Mr. Mustafa BOZBEY, Mayor of Nülifer Municipality, who provide such a camping project enter into force, as well as those who exerted effort. We hope that this project will be example to other municipality and cities. Also we will be happy to host all of our guests who will come from abroad.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

Pirge:

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A career in Turkish cutlery The story begins in a war and it goes on with modern technologies‌

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hose who immigrated to Bursa from the Balkans during the OttomanRussian war in the last century have brought their crafts as well as their souls. One of them, Master Ismail, was an apprentice of Master Yahya, to learn the craft of cutlery.

At the hands of the sixth gen-

eration, the business is still growing.

Omer Pirge, business development manager of Pirge Cutlery says that they inspired to produce cutleries on modern machinery during his visit to fairs abroad. The company now exports to 33 countries.

He introduced the story of his company: On the history of cutlery busi-

ness in Bursa Two stories are told. One says that, Bursa was the capital of the Ottomans and the army needed have manufactured the tools and armory in this city. The second one says that the immigration tide from the Balkans have brought new crafts to the city and pros-

Yahya died the business was inherited by our grandfather Mehmet, who later on deliver the art to his son Hafiz Ismail.

He also made cutlery by forging steel on iron, however, he entered to the trade of cutlery products. Buys and sells, outsources the production and his shop becomes a center in Okcular bazaar.

At the end, the business was handed to our father who tries to renovate the business and manufacturing by acquiring new machinery and tools for cutlery production. He tried to sell his production by traveling in Europe with its prototypes at hand, and expanded its manufacturing by additional machinery for, polishing, cutting, and forming.

pered the business of cutlery in Bursa. Our forefathers are in this category.

On Pirge company today Now, as Yesilyayla cutlery tools company, we have a factory of 2500 sqm where 90 people are employed and equipped with modern machinery includ-

On the history of the family Our forefather at the sixth generation Master Ismail immigrated from Pazarcik to Bursa and have served to Master Yahya, a great name in the craft. After his father’s death his son Mehmet at seven kept his position. When Master

ing the CNC’s and a production capacity to export to 33 countries. With our technical know-how, engineering knowledge, design talents, we are a modern cutlery company

in Bursa. We aimed to bring the world famous Solingen technique of Germany into Turkey and by combining it with our assets we target to world markets. We are preparing our business for the robotic technologies of the future.

On exports In 2010 we started to produce our products on modern machinery. All our products are sold under Pirge name. Our exports began when we participated in fairs in abroad.

Presently, our products are exhibited in the fairs in USA, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Singapore and Dubai. 25 percent of our production is exported. Our products are sold more than 2,000 points in Turkey, as well.

Additional comments We still believe that all our forefathers have been worked for earning their lives from halal way and all of them has made great impressions in our business. We believe that, being a good soul is more important than being a profitable businessman. We work for this and we pray for this. We try to deliver our craft to the seventh generation of us with proud.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

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Koza Han, ageless and shining heritage of Bursa

Hasan Tunçman

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oza Han, the pupil of the eye of Bursa city, the Ottoman heritage having deep roots of the history, was built as a foundation by Abdul Ula Bin Pulat Shah, one of the best architects of the time, upon the order of Sultan Bayezid II in 1491. Surrounding a wide rectangle yard as a double-storey inn Koza Han has a masjid at the very middle of the inn. Hasan Tuncman, wha has been assuming the chairmanship of Koza Han Association since 2006, outlines the story of Koza Han. Tuncman has been living in Koza Han since 1980 and tells his the story of his living in Bursa as, “I had come to Bursa for a fortnight but it seemed that I came forever.” He continues on Koza Han: “Koza means ‘cocoon’. Cocoons would fill out even upper levels before. I know

the times when cocoons would be placed down to the street. Cocoon business was a tradition. They would be produced and sold around here. The money gained wouldn’t enter into the pocket of the man of the house. It would be dedicated for the trousseau of the young girls in the house if there were any. At families with young boys, they would buy jewelry for prospective bride. But the current youth urges to be rich and the cocoon business ends.”

Tuncman furnished with the brief history of Koza Han too. He also noted, “Started to be built in 1490 Koza Han was finished in a short time as 18 months. It was built to provide income for the Bayezid Library in Istanbul.

Cocoon and yarns made from cocoon would be sold at this place and there is another place currently called inner

Koza Han of which real name is Ayse Saniye Passage behind this building. Its upper level was restored in 1948 and it was restored again with the support of Kerim Ahan, one of the rich of Bursa, during 1982-1984. There were bank and insurance agent offices at upper levels in 1980s, however, silk and fabric products are being sold there nowadays.”

Tuncman continues with the history of Koza Han: KOZA HAN; “ THE PEARL OF THE BURSA BAZAAR “ Bursa’s heart has been pounding in the Market for centuries; And Koza Han had always been the most precious pearl of the market. Even if it has lost its previous importance Koza Han still tries to liven Bursa up with its new functions. Like all he other inns Koza

Han had changed its function recently.

The places of the silk merchants of the past have now become a place where we sit and enjoy small talk over tea.

This authentic location and resting under hundreds of years of old oak tress and having a little chat has become an attraction for the people of Bursa...

“Koza Han”; the most beautiful and mightiest of all...The word inn for most of us is almost synonymous with “Koza Han”. “ Koza Han” , the flower of the market has been a location where merchants from all over the world meet for centuries... It is still one of the first stops of silk merchants even there is longer a silk Exchange market...

A Cosmopolitan Inn: Koza Han Koza Han, was an international trade and shopping center since 15th century. There had been shops of many

merchants of different countries and nationalities. This continued in different ways even after the Republic was founded. There were the shops of European merchants and the Levantines.

An International Silk Trade Center: Koza Han Koza Han was an international trade center for centuries. It functioned as a center for banking and insurance in the 19th and 20th centuries and a center for lawyers for a while. Also headquarters of the newspaper “Millet Yolu” published by “Bursa Mudafaa-i Hukuk” community was in Koza Han. But in today’s Koza Han has always had silk and cocoon trade on the ground floor and lawyer officies on the top. Even some government offices like charitable foundations and courtesy representatives resided here.

Photo: Ayşe İzci

Photo: İsmail Bayer

Photo: İsmail Bayer

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

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serve what their child do at home. The site administration is our subsidiary company. While security staffs are hired a very meticulous research is carried out. I think it is difficult as

much as civil service workers for working as security staff in Simpaş structure.

People who dwell here can complain from everything, but the thing they do not complain is security.

SINPAŞ GYO puts Bursa Modern Project Into Force In addition to safety in terms of construction and life, having also a good impression with the modern style, “Bursa Modern” offers a brand new life area.

Umit Ismen Sales and Marketing Manager of “Bursa Modern”

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etting first conceptualized housing development project enter into force in Turkey, Sinpaş GYO has added a new one on its projects. Offering exactly a living area with “Bursa Modern” development project which accomplished in Bursa, Sinpaş has built properties in 5 different concepts on an area of 232 thousand sq meters.

Telling there were many families who prefer “Bursa Modern” especially from the Gulf Countries, as well as Turks, Umit Ismen, Sales and Marketing Manager of “Bursa Modern”, informed in detail about the project.

Q- Would you inform us about Sinpaş GYO? • Sinpaş is a very big company. Existing in the sector for 38 years, Sinpaş also shelters various company groups such as Sinpaş Yapı, Saf Real Estate in its structure. All of these are generally related with building.

In addition, the firms such as Seranit and Nikron are also affiliated to Sinpaş. It is a company that is playing for the leadership in the sector. Starting first conceptualized development projects in Turkey, Sinpaş has built projects in Ankara and Gaziantep under the title real estate investment trast.

Q- What kind of advantages Sinpaş GYO offers to the people with Modern Bursa in Bursa?

• The area of this project which was launched in 2007 is 232 thousand sq meters.

Consisting of 6 different plots, we have completed 3 of them in this area. One of the rest ones was projected as commercial and housing. As for two others are only housing development projects. There are number

of 1466 unit houses ready to deliver. Families live at over 600 ones that we have sold over 800 units. When looked at the project as person-based, currently 2000 people live at our project. The essence of Sinpaş GYO in genuine meaning is to offer life style to human beings. We accomplish our projects in terms of providing environments featuring peace, safety for construction and life. Bursa Modern is the only and biggest themed project in Bursa.

There are different floor plans. We offer 5 different concepts to the admiration of our customers ranging from TL153 thousand for 1+1 home to villas worth TL3 million. Among these there are also different sq meters homes.

Q- When we take into consideration the sales abroad, buyers come from which countries?

• Primarily being Kuwait, there are our buyers from the Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai. Apart from this, there are also customers from Europe.

There are agencies abroad that we work together and make solution partnership.

We provide to market our projects by agreeing with those.

Q- How does the reciprocity law, newly amended in recent time, affect your sales?

• Before, if we could not buy property in a nation, the citizens in that country could not acquire a property in our country. However, this has changed with the amended reciprocity law.

For example we as Turks, we cannot buy property in Kuwait. But now we can sell property to the Kuwaiti people with this amend-

ment. This is one of the biggest advantages. As far as I know, some works are conducted in order to let them dwell here. The permission for dwelling should be increased some. I think currently being 3 months; the permission should be prolonged up to 6 months or more.

Q- Why foreigners should buy home in Bursa Modern?

• The historical and natural beauty of Bursa is very important and foreigners are aware of this. Due to its religious attraction and as the capital of the Ottoman can be preferred. Apart from this, its nature, sea, summer and winter tourism are truly appropriate for them.

For example, if we look at Kuwait, when Kuwaitis come here they tell that they feel themselves like in paradise. Also water is a big problem there. When they see Bursa they like much and choose here. In addition, proximity to Istanbul is seen a great advantage.

In recent times, it is possible to go to Istanbul in 30 minutes thanks to new built transport possibilities. Many reasons like this play an effective role to buy residence in Bursa Modern.

Generally people in Bursa consider that the project locates out the city. But the center of city takes 10 minutes. It is possible to go to the center of city by the public transport vehicles in a short time. The tramway line will pass through next to the project. Shortly, our project has a good environment in terms of location.

Q- One of the features of the project having wide social life areas. What kind of social activities are offered to dwellers?

• Primarily there is an open space of 100 sq meters per unit. When considered in this respect, there is a quite wide space. There is also an area accounting for 1,2 kilometers for walking and cycling space. Apart from this, there are also tennis and basketball courts and a festival area of 8 thousand sq meters. We made open air cinema at summer evenings, amusement park at weekends and we held concerts, kite festivals and set small farms for animals. We can organize many events like these. There is also a shopping center here. There are open and closed swimming pools, professional sport hall, Turkish bath, sauna, pharmacy, market, cafeteria and a seminar hall for 200 people. A climbing wall was specially built for children and course for skating.

Q- Bursa Modern is especially preferred by the families with children.

What would you tell

about safety of construction and life areas?

• Security is one of the features of Sinpaş. We give importance much to safety in both construction and life areas. The soil analysis was carried out by Civil Faculty of Istanbul Technical University (ITU). At the end of these analyses, how the infrastructure and bases would be made clearly planned in time. There are number of 7800 fore-stakes under the built of 1466 residences and these stakes were dipped into 15 meters depth. We have used thicker concretes which specified in the earthquake regulations and spread footing basis which is proofed by the regulation.

Apart from this, we act very fastidious in life safety. In summer evenings, children in 8 to 10 year olds can play up to 11:00 p.m. at night.

Every side is equipped with cameras. Playgrounds are controlled by closed-circuit television systems. Thanks to this, mothers can ob-

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

7

Merinos ACCC, a new ideal congress destination in Turkey Continued from Page 1 tatürk Congress Culture Centre (Merinos ACCC) is composed of two important basic structures, which is located in Merinos Park; one of them is historical Merinos Factory, which was converted to Culture Centre with a restoration work, and the other is Congress Centre that was just constructed.

The buildings, which were designed in a flexible way to use together or separately, have a special availability in being a complex building for arrangement of -great or small- any kind of organizations.

Merinos ACCC is a member of AIPC (International Union of Convention Centers) which is an authority in convention center management consultancy

A

Ataturk Congress Culture Center (ACCC) offers excellent facilities for modern, contemporary and pleasant congresses, conferences and meetings and a member of ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) which is one of the most prominent organizations in the world of international meetings.

The “Atatürk Congress Culture Center” (ACCC) has a total area of 120.000 m², set within the 307.000 m² grounds of Merinos Park. Merinos ACCC has many facilities including: Merinos Main Exhibition Hall (7.600 m²), 3 Exhibition Rooms (750 m²), an Open Exibition Area (7.000 m²), Parking Garages with 460 and 300 car capacity, and four halls—the Osmangazi Hall (1.603 seats), Orhangazi Hall (813

seats), Hudavendigar Hall (400 seats) and Yıldırım Bayezid Hall with 1.000 person capacity. In Merinos ACCC, there are also other useable spaces such as the 1.000 m²-covered

deck, seminar halls, congress offices, performer preparation rooms and places for social activities.

Merinos Park, which is located in Atatürk Congress Culture Centre and has

been recomposed recently, is an important public recreation area for Bursa with its 208.000 m² green field. There are many coffee shops, restaurants and social complexes in the

Park together with 16.000 m² areas that arranged for open-air activities. Besides, Energy and Textile Museums, which were established by restoring the power plant and the old textile machines that are in Merinos Factory, has the specialty in being first and unique energy and textile museums of Bursa.

Bursa is a truly great European and World city. In addition to being an industrial city, Bursa is a center of history, culture and art.

Bursa can attract the interest of Congress tourism and M.I.C.E sector through these advantages. By opening of Merinos ACCC, the city started to host many cultural activities including festivals, concerts besides national and international congresses.

Bursa is now more powerful. However we have just

begun our journey and there is a long way in front of us. Our main objective is to make the city more attractive for international meetings tourism and to become an outstanding place for professionals of the M.I.C.E sector who are looking for new congress destinations.

Bursa, which was lit with the electricity that was generated in Merinos in the past, is being enlightened with the science and art light that is spread from Atatürk Congress Culture Centre. Merinos Spinning Factory, which was established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (who was the founder of Republic of Turkey) and made Bursa capital city of textile, is now reborn and ready to make Bursa capital city of culture and congress tourism with the responsibility of His memory.

Merinos ACCC is gaining strength day by day and on its way to becoming one of the most popular congress destinations in Turkey.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

8

The legend of Iskender Kebab “döner” and “döner kebab” starts to be recalled in public and the title turns into a signboard and a commercial name in today’s commercial world as The Son Of Mehmet İskender® Effendi. With the long-term usage of it’s commercial title, İskender® Effendi identifies with Bursa and with his symbolical personality integrates with his food he enters a period of earning reputation.

’s r Efendi Iskende

k eb a b b

ench

Yavuz Iskenderoglu, a view from the Iskenderoglu mansion

As a father of three boys, son of Mehmet, İskender Effendi had taught his business to his children. Süleyman İskenderoğlu (1909-1965) middle son of İskender Effendi and the father of Yavuz İskenderoğlu had also thought the secrets of this art to his children. Also Yavuz İskenderoğlu is carrying this flag by training his sons Oğuzhan and İskender Kayhan İskenderoğlu in every platform.

İskender Efendi Mansion

Yavuz İskenderoğlu Chairman of Board, İskender®

Beginning of the legend

There has been a long dated bloodline between the mother side and the farther side of Yavuz İskenderoğlu. Sabit effendi, the maternal grand grandfather was a famous butcher, had a reputation of being rake because of his tendencies for entertainment and sharing. As he was having fun while he has selling the meat that he is keeping in his meat safe, he became a well known and a popular person in Fatih, Eminönü and Haliç. The grandfather of Yavuz İskenderoğlu, the son of Mehmet, İskender Bey was staying with his uncle Grandfather Sabit and helping him. While his uncle was riding the horse carriage, Grandfather İskender had come the idea of using the meat vertically not to disturb the people around with the smoke of tandoori kebab when they were cooking the meat horizontally. A man with a great love for his niece, Grandfather Sabit hadn’t refused this seemingly childish offer and accepts it, to encourage Grandfather İskender.

Tandoori shop

The family which starts the business with the Restaurant of Mehmet Effendi during 1850s was doing the business of lamb chawarma and tandoori which was very common in Bursa in that period. At a time when the meat was sold in shops as with overhead trays, the son İskender tries to bring his thoughts about building a better business with the support from his uncle Grandfather Sabit.

After his father admits the inessentially of such a project he goes to talk to his mother and tries to convince his father again. At the end, he makes the offer to “ raise

History the lamb, that was being cooked parallel to the fire on the ground, up. So, they try the vertical kebab idea in Bursa and with the support of his father Mehmet Effendi, the business starts to grow.

The first Ottoman signboard

Starting the road with this purpose, İskender ® Effendi cleans the boned meat, from bones and nerves, puts on a skewer and after cooking it while rolling in front of fire, serves, after slicing it in a very thin form. This different servicing gets too much attention in Bursa and starts being called as the “turning kebab” of İskender® Effendi. Because the meat was boneless, being cooked in a vertical oven , cut in a different way.

But not in the form of today’s actual kebab, but becomes a tasty dish which , without the usage of fork and knife, the meat was being placed on a pita bread that was named as alaturca (Turkish style) and was supported with yoghurt, gravy and butter which was placed by this pita bread. Right now, everybody recalls that dish when somebody says İskender.

In those years Bursa’s population was very low. It was consisted of the triangle of Kayhan-TahtakaleReyhan and the neighborhoods of Maksem and Tophane. People knew each other. The shop that serves the İskender® Döner Kebab which starts to be popular with the son of Mehmet İskender® Effendi was a 20-30 square meter shop. With the 1926 Alphabet Revolution, the family moves to the first shop with a signboard.

The first shop in Kayhan

As the time passes the name

İskender® Effendi Mansion is the result of the efforts of Yavuz İskenderoğlu between 1997 and 2003 who’s the 3rd generation grandson and master cook of our family. And was built to connect a link between the future generations in the name of our heritage of 150 years . It was also built identical to XVII century Ottoman architecture and one of the rare works that carries the characteristics of that era.

The project of İskender® Effendi Mansion consists of two main structures. The first of these structures is the İskender®Shop which was based on the concept of our first Kebab shop in Kayhan Bazaar. Light blue concept, the execution of the technique of tackles building, İskender®Daisy Chains that represents the corporate principles; these executions that form, the son of İskender, İskender® concept , covers the first step of İskender Effendi Mansion concept in Soğanlı

Botanic Park.

The other building in the project is the İskender Effendi Mansion that was created by the inspiration from the mansion of our grandfather İskender Effendi near Irgandı Bridge and restituted not restored with the techniques and materials from 17th century.

The big, two-winged door at the entrance of the mansion is a direct copy of the entrance of Green Mosque Of Bursa and prepared by master penmen of the southeast.

The Kebapçı İskender® signboard at the entrance is the original old Turkish handwritten signboard that grandfather İskender used in our first shop.

The Ottoman intarsias that are on the entrance ceiling was taken

and placed from the mansion that İskender Effendi lived in 17th century.

The porcelain quarry floorings are direct replicas of the ones that were used in mansions during the XVIIth century and hand built by the last Armenian masters in Ortaköy İstanbul. The sycamore leaf lookalike symbols on the quarries represent the Ottoman sun.

The Stony Ground

The stonewalls in stony place aren’t coverings and they were built from stones that directly prepared for chipping and cutting.

The tile cinctures that go parallel through the bottom and the top of the stone walls are spiritual qualities of Ottoman architecture and prevent the collapses and breaks in the case of an earthquake. The mirrors in stony ground are originals from the 17th century.

The upstairs are consisted of parts called Head Room, Divan Room, Iwan and Sofa. The wall grouts and pargets are directly from Khorasan. The specialty about Khorasan mortar is , after the lime is dissolved and filtered , it is fermented by the mixing with thousands of eggs and kept in wells for some time to become more concrete before usage. The Kohorasan mortar is the most effective method for covering because of it’s porous and breathable nature. Also, by hanging an ostrich egg on the ceilings in a net, producing of the spiders are prevented.

Sofa

When you go upstairs, the part which is called Sofa and used for daily life, welcomes you with interesting ambiance with blue and red lights. You may see the details of the Ottoman art of embellishing, decoration and calligraphy.

The carpets in the Sofa are original cecims that were hand knitted by young girls in the Ottoman era. The skirting in the Sofa and the rooms are direct specialties of Ottoman architecture and they are clapboards and wooden.

Iwan

The cecim is an original from Karabakh cecim that hand knitted by XVII century Armenian girls. The turquoise blue color in the center of the cecim was prepared from that era’s madders and hadn’t lost anything from it’s vitality after 1500 years.

The wooden Arch which decorates the entrance of Iwan between the Head Room and Divan Room has a name that is called with Bursa and it’s the XVII. Century Bursa Arch. It’s a direct copy of the arch that decorated the Ottoman thrones during the times that Bursa was the capital of the empire, you can see the other examples in Topkapi Palace. The armchairs and the tables in the Iwan part are originals are mirrored kündekaris and were done with madder.

Divan Room

Divan room is ( Harem room) room where women sit while the men were sitting and feasting in Sofa in XVIIth Century Ottoman mansions. The exit to the roof harem room is through that room.

The women watch the entertainment and the young girls watched their fiancées through the shutter windows. The window that looks through the sofa from harem room was original, because when it’s looked from outside it doesn’t show the back. But shows the outside when looked from inside. The stone mirrors of XVII. Century are rare pieces of Yavuz İskenderoğlu collection.

The exit from the Divan room to harem looks like a closet for bedding and in case of an sudden raid to mansion, it’s the emergency exit place of the inmates through the roof .

The fireplace in the Divan Room represents the war helmet that was worn by the soldiers when they were going to war during the era of the empire.

The ceiling pattern of the Divan Room looks like the star of David, symbol of Judaism, but actually it’s the Ottoman government badge and the symbol of Turks.

Before choosing Islam, Turks were Shamans and worshipping sun. That is the sun that represents Turks.

The ceiling of Divan Room is a replica of XVII. Century palace ceilings and covered with cheesecloth. In those days, in order to avoid the wind coming dust to go between the wood, the ceilings were covered with starched kerchiefs and the dust leak stops.

Headroom

The painting on the left upper corner that is written “Bismilla-

hirrahmanirrahim” on is a true work of art. It has been prepared

by Syria origin calligraphy artist Calligrapher Ömer and it took 17 months to finish it. It’s a complete example of Ottoman calligraphy art. The writings are a mix of wax and gold dust and the black line under the writing is the chimney soot of Süleymaniye Mosque. In those days, the ,ink was made from that soot and used for writings in the palace. While building Süleymaniye, architect Sinan calculated the air currents to suck in the soot and collected the soot of 1300 candles by air currents, in soot room that he has built on the entrance of the mosque. This soot got scraped from the room from time to time, hanged onto the camel humps which go to Hedjaz, after mixed with certain amount of water and put into small barrels.

After being stirred for 180 days, it transforms into an inerasable ink, used in the padishah’s rescripts, and can keep it’s form for 5000 years under any weather conditions.

The cedar fabrics of headroom are direct Bursa çatmas. The three crescents on the fabric represents the rule of Ottoman empire on three continents during it’s era and according to a saying the padishah gives out this massage, “ by sitting on this cedar, we are sitting on 3 continents.

The ceiling on the headroom was made of cheesecloth called as, Tekne Tavan, it was completely from madder and it took 3 years to finish it. The fireplace was designed as in the form of the helmet that is worn by soldiers when they go to war. The stained glasses are identical to İstanbul Şehzade Paşa mosque and nice examples of Müzeyyen art.

The floor nails of the mansion are identical Ottoman spikes. The specialty of Ottoman helpers in the wooden girders and they have high flexibility. They are nails that don’t tear two trees from each other in a case of a quake and they are unbreakable. These nails and helpers by Hammersmith after mauling in fire for many days.

The characteristics of 17th Century Ottoman architecture are also seen on the outer walls of İskender Effendi Mansion. The front of the roof tiles are completely covered with mud to avoid the fire that may be triggered from wheat stems which carried by birds from burning trashing fields.

The pool in the courtyard of the mansion is original and reflects the Byzantium era and the tablets on the wall behind the pool are originals.

During the construction of İskender Effendi Mansion ; Turkish, Jewish and Armenian constructors worked with great care and build this incredibly beautiful monument. The construction of the mansion started in 1997 and finished in 2003 after a building period of 6 years. İskender Efendi mansion was opened by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in July 26 2003.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

9

Doors open to art at Gölyazı T he buildings which have found life again, have been opened to service as Gölyazı Culture Home and Göl Yazıevi after being restored by Nilüfer Municipality.

Nilüfer Municipality has revealed the value that gives importance to literature and culture-art once again as well as claiming the historical heritage. Restoring the St. Panteleimon’s Church and a building next to it belonging to 19th century in the district of Gölyazı features as a nature paradise, Nilüfer Municipality has let Bursa win two more important places. Having restored suitable to its basic structure Gölyazı St. Panteleimon’s Church will serve as a culture home. Also a home next to the historical building was restored and designed to host authors and translators in a home condition. These two noteworthy projects have been opened to service with a ceremony. Nilüfer Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, litterateurs Cevat Çapan, Ali Arda, Burhan Sonmez, Swedish

author Asa Lind and a number of invitees attended to the opening ceremony.

Stating they had opened a very unprecedented place which offered by a local government to literary life in his speech at the ceremony, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, said; “The Göl Writing Home will serve in the international dimension to authors and translators who highlight the reality of different worlds. Featuring a very important neighborhood with its tourism potential, it also bears the traces of population exchange. After restoration works completed of St. Panteleimon which is our cultural heritage, we have hosted very special meetings. Today we are opening officially this important heritage as Culture Home. While an artist omitted so much, and the most rooted institutions of the state virtually left to their destine, turning someone’s back on those and institutions which have set their heart on art, private theatres; even a draft law - which might annul the State

Theatres, Opera and Ballet - has been submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly, we as a local government are fulfilling our duty by claiming art.

We are obliged to be fed via art. Because the authors, poets, players, sculpturers are the most important treasuries of a country. As Nülifer Municipality, we keep our upright stance for 15 years standing by the art and artists. We have our children meet with art since little ages; we add art to the rhythm of life in the district of Nilüfer.” Stating that the events, which held in recent years, saw a wonderful interest, Bozbey said; “Exactly 1 million 34 thousand 402 people participated in the events organized as festivals and festivity within recent 5 years. Today, the 4th Theatre Festival is starting. The number of 46 games is meeting with audiences at 5 stages. In the 3 festivals that we left behind 111 games were staged, and watched by 46 thousand 450 people. We are a cultureart city with our open events such as

motion pictures, concerts, author of the year. Now our Gölyazı Culture Home will crown our mission, will be one of the living places.”

Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony author Cevat Capan stated that when said literature, Nilüfer Municipality come to mind in the province of Bursa. Also litterateur and author Burhan Sonmez pointed out that “this place is a decent place in order to be able to convert things in their heart to lines in terms of authors, adding that writing and reading are a different side of worship. While Safak Pala, Manager

of Culture-Social Affairs of Nülifer Municipality, in his speech touched about the process; as for the Swedish author Asa Lind stated his feels. Commending both of the works, Linda stated the cultural events and places of Nilüfer Municipality had drawn great attention in the province of Bursa. Recording especially library events directed towards children were important and successful, Lind also highlighted the place was a wonderful place for authors. Following speeches, multi-voiced chorus of Nilüfer district performed a concert for the attendees.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

10

History of Bursa, a city that harbors a variety of landmarks of different cultures

Continued From Page 1 ome to many Islamic, Christian and Jewish monuments Bursa has also been the site of numerous council meetings which are of great importance to Christians. Within the province of Bursa, Iznik is the most important of the eight Christian pilgrimage sites located in Turkey.

Well-known for its large shopping centers, bazaars and museums Bursa has a temperate climate. The region is cool in the summer and mild in the winter.

One of the most important contributions of Bursa to the history of Turkish culture is the Karagöz and Hacivat shadow theater.

Shadow Theater reached Bursa in the 17th century and became an important corner stone of Turkish culture since then.

7 km north of Bursa, a city

H

which has been a stage of settlement for 5,000 years, and 2.5 km south of the Demirtaş region, we find the Demirtaş Tumulus, with a diameter of 90 metres and a height of 5 meters found here were pottery sherds of bowls, jars and jugs, all generally handmade, with a few made with use of a wheel.

These pieces date back to the Early Bronze Age, ca.

2500B.C. The dimensions of the “Çayırköy Tumulus”, located 14 km west of the city and l km southwest of the village Çayırköyü, are identical to those of Demirtaş Tumulus. The dominant colours of the ceramic found here are grey, red, greybrown and black. An important part of the ceramics found was handmade, although the wheel was used for some of the pieces.

The oldest finds here dates

back to 2700 B.C. Unable to defend themselves against the Scythian invasions, the Bithynians and their relatives the Tnynians living on the shores of the river Strumon in Thrace migrated to northwestern Anatolia in the VIIth century BC and remained in this area settled by mankind for over 5,000 years. They named this fertile land Bithynia.

Although the Bithynians extended their territories rapidly, they could not escape domination by the Lydians, who possessed a strong army. in 546 B.C. the Lydian ruler Croesus was defeated by the Persian armies, and the region fell under the rule of the Persian Empire until 453 B.C. The domination of the region by Alexander Great lasted from 325 B.C. until the emperor’s death. Following the death of Alexan-

der, Bithynia and Asia Minor were distributed among the military commanders and fell under the administration of Antigonos. But the struggle between Alexander’s commanders continued and the Bithynian Kingdom took advantage of this chance. The Bithynian ruler Doidalses developed an independent Kingdom in the region. Under the rule of Zipoites (327-279 B.C.), the Kingdom was recognized and respected by its neighbors. During the rule of Zipoites’ son Nikomedes I (279-250 B.C.), the Kingdom was enlarged and became the most respected Kingdom of Asia Minor.

During the years 278-277 B.C., the Galats, advancing in three branches from Middle Europe, entered western Anatolia and invaded and pillaged every settlement they came across. Following these invasions, various city-states were formed in Anatolia.

After this tremor, Ziaelas (192-146 B.C.), Nikomedes II (146-92 B.C.), Nikomedes III (92-75 B.C.) and Nikomedes IV (75-74 B.C.) ruled the country. Nikomedes II made treaties with the King of Pontus, Mithridates, against the Roman Empire in the west. But Nikomedes III, who succeeded his father, did the opposite, fo the Kingdom of Pontus. Although the outcome of the conflict was not in Nikomedes’ favour, he was able to sustain his

independence thanks to the support of the Roman Empire. Nikomedes IV, who succeeded him at his death, turned over his lands to the Roman Empire in 74 B.C..

Thus, the Bythinian Kingdom became a province of the Empire. Pliny, who was appointed during the reign of Emperor Domitian, was promoted to governor during the reign of Emperor Traianus. After seizing the sovereignty over the region, he commenced the re-building of the cities. Nevertheless, the cities of Nicaea (İznik) and Nikomedia (İzmit) profited more from these activities than Prusa, where only one bathhouse was rebuilt. Ancient sources name Prusias I (232-192 B.C.) as the founder of today’s Bursa. The Carthaginian King Hannibal, upon losing his battle against

the Roman Empire, took refuge at the court of Prusias I with his army. Here, he is met as a victorious commander and respected as such. in return, Hannibal and his soldiers built a city. He named the city Prusias and presented it to the king. The city, which was surrounded by a fort when it was founded, was not bigger than a single neighborhood today. Very important documents dating back to the 2nd century B.C. were found within a tumulus belonging to the Bythinian Kingdom era.

During the Roman Empire period, the city was called Uludağ’s Bursa, Prusa ad Olympium, and a marble statue of a woman and an

osteotheque belonging to the period was found. During the reign of Emperor Justinianus (527-565), new bathhouses were built in Pythia (Çekirge), in 1935, vaulted chambers were discovered in the fort.

Within the fort, early Byzantine floor mosaics found in Yer Kapı are among the most important archaeological remains. Between the years 1204 and 1261, Prusa (Bursa) continued its existence as an undistinguished city under the feudality of Nicaea (iznik).

Today, the richest Byzantine gravestone stele and other architectural works of art, ceramics and coins are exhibited in the Bursa Archaeological Museum.

Turkey’s first Archeopark ready for summer BURSA – Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Recep Altepe said that the first Arkeopark which is in the Aktopraklik district on the parallel line of Bursa-İzmir highway would start operation in the forthcoming summer with works realized with cooperation of Metropolitan Municipality and İstanbul University.

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Continued From Page 1 ayor Altepe indicating the fact that there were 3 independent villages in the region with long history as 8500, 7000 and 300 years said that the visitors to Archeopark would feel passing a long time tunnel. He stated, “Located on the road parallel to İzmir Highway Archeopark would retrograde the visitors to hundreds years past. Maybe to some extent that will be Turkey’s most occupied place”.

Altepe setting forth the fact that visitors of Archeopark will obtain deep knowledge of past period and pertaining to life conditions of ancient era, said that “Settlement to Europe was originated from that district. Humans occupied in that district dispersed to Balkans from Thrace and then to entire Europe.

Knowledge we derived at the end of the excavations verify all our confirmations”.

Also an Ottoman village will be included.

Mayor Altepe in near past over the Archeopark a new Ottoman village will be included. Over the region where the village will be constructed all Ottoman’s life symbols will be located, in the range of homes

M

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established as per that period’s architectural style to accommodation plants, from social life balances until souvenirs reflecting the daily life images, Mayor Altepe stating out that an incredible abundance will be penetrated to visitors declared that “Our efforts are going on in full speed. Hopefully, in Aktoparklık similar with Cumalıkazık, one more active tourism urban will be established. In correlation with all these spaces Akteopark in association with tourism applications will cradle an exclusive richness in its body”.

Associate Professor Necmi Karul of İU, Faculty of Literature Archeology, Mayor Prehistory Department, indicated that since the year 2004 at the end of the excavations executions held at Aktoparklık Hill Town lasting its historical past up to 8500 years they revealed the settlement regions. In the district consecutively a 1000 years old life is exist as per archeological information found at the excavations laying to prehistoric era Karul said that they constituted antique villages said that “When the studies are reached to end visitors will be able to witness the fracture points of life in separate components.

Continued From Page 1 t is a big opportunity for the city. I thank my counterpart; I congratulate those who exerted effort. They had removed a remarkable lack.

Call on the sector The sector must evaluate this water very well. Our Ministry of Health is almost going to make agreement with the Scandinavian countries to host mass customers. The number of 65 thousand patients will be received to Turkey per annum. They will be treated by geothermal cure and the Ministry of Health will share this potential with the provinces which have spa, sufficient and licensed facility approved by the Ministry of Health. Our city possesses the registered facilities approved by the Ministry of Health. We call on those facilities which do not have hot water to take it in swift way. Secondly, if the facilities - which do not have the license, but they have thermal water – should get license approved by the Ministry of Health in a quick way in order to

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have chance to receive patients who will come from Europe. We spoke the issue with the General Manager in the Ministry of Health, it is enough employing the physiotherapist in order to get license. For this reason, I wish our facilities comprehend this issue in a serious way. The city of Bursa currently is not deemed a thermal city. Bursa is a renowned province since Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman to date with its spas, hot water, curing waters.

In recent period, regarding we attach importance to other things maybe this issue is being ignored and it is not taken ahead much.

Bursa is a thermal city However, attaching importance to other things does not require neglecting its thermal water resources, the thermal city feature. Bursa is an industrial city, we must support continuously this, Bursa is an agricultural production center we do not object to this. But Bursa is a tourism city at least Bursa is also a health tourism city, Bursa is a ther-

mal city as much as previously mentioned features.

We should not neglect this specification.

We should use all values in the city. Mentioning one of them does not mean to neglect the others. Bursa is a single city in Turkey as the member of the European Association of Historic Towns.

We should reveal these assets; we should know values of these assets. For this reason, these works which are conducted are important. With this project is supported by BEBKA, we have reached a chance to be able to monitor to supply the hot water through 18-kilometer length line to which facility, in which amount and in which pressure and temperature with remote perception method via Scada system. This is very important in terms of reducing business management costs and letting service quality that we offer to the facilities to raise. I hope in the upcoming period, Bursa will feel its feature as a thermal city more with Dagyenice thermal holiday village which will enter into force.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

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International medical and thermal tourism forum held in Bursa

Bursa Associate President of Governor Samet Ercoşkun

Continued From Page 16 elivering an opening speech at the forum Bursa Associate President of Governor Samet Ercoşkun stated, “Dear governor supports all efforts that shall be realized in Bursa. Bursa with its 2.6 millions population is a metropolitan city. But, Bursa possesses natural embellishments eliminating the metropolitan life setting. It is a city with plenty of relaxing landscape.

I stress them in that respect: in a geriatric center in the field of health care tourism that city never makes you shamed against the guests accompanied with you”.

Vice Governor Ercoşkun underlying the fact that also patients that are perceived as health care tourists will perceive the variance of Bursa in that manner declared, “Our visitors will discover why they are in this city and will attain peace in the city. We see that Bursa’s selection is accurate and we support every time.

I anticipate that all types of commit-

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Dr. Mustafa Esgin

Pramod Goel

ments will be an incentive for Bursa. In correlation with investments that will take part in the future thermal bed capacity correspond to 7 thousand after the realization of our Dağyenice project will be proliferated”.

Vice Governor Ercoşkun while pointing out that the forum is effective in the pursuit of Bursa’s registration of its brand in the field of health care tourism, medical and thermal tourism, concluded his speech giving thanks to everyone making contribution to the Forum.

Dr. Yurdakoş: Bursa has perceived the significance of health care tourism.

Delivering a speech at the Forum Chairman of BUSAT Dr. Metin Yurdakoş also indicated, “Amplification of life span, elevation of socio-economic status, increased citizen’s expectations for healthier and higher quality life have all improved. Turkey can compete in terms of health care tourism in addition to its geostrategic significance by the virtue of captured price and quality proportion”.

Stating out the fact that Bursa has perceived its impact in health care tourism Dr. Yurdakoş pointed out, “Bursa, in association with its citizens, administrators and entire dynamics as a whole, assimilated the significance of health care tourism, in that object in mind stays in resolution in pursuant to the execution of the necessary requirements. Bursa in addition to its encompassed educated human power, health care investments and existed thermal resources also by means of historical, natural and cultural values is a candidate to become a worldwide health care tourism capital city”.

Dr. Esgin: Bursa will be a globally occupied a thermal and medical province.

Delivering a speech at the forum’s opening ceremony, BUSAT Founding Chairman and AK Party Nilüfer Mayor Candidate Dr. Mustafa Esgin set forth, “We laid the foundations of this meeting by founding BUSAT a few years ago. Bursa will be a thermal and medical destination soon in terms of its present poten-

Uludağ: An attraction center for winter sports and tourism Continued From Page 1 ts highest peak is Kartaltepe at 2,543 m (8,343 ft). To the north are high plateaus: Sarıalan, Kirazlıyayla, Kadıyayla, and Sobra. There is a wolfram mine near the summit. Uludag mountain, is particularly a popular destination for winter skiing.

The Mount Uludag ski resort has become an attraction center in the Bursa province and Marmara region of Turkey and is now part of the Uludag National Park.

Many tourists are extremely surprised to find the opportunity to enjoy winter skiing so close by and flock here from Bursa.

The highest area in western Anatolia, Uludağ is easily ascended by car or cable-car. The park is about 22 km (14 mi) south of Bursa and is signposted from there. Bursa can be reached by road fromIstanbul.

The cable-car ascends from Bursa and has an intermediate stop in the alpine meadows of Kadiyayla at about 1,200 m (3,937 ft) elevation. It ends at Sarialan at about 1,630 m (5,348 ft).

Habitats of the park range from maquis on the lower slopes, through deciduous woodland and beechand fir forest to alpine meadows at the highest levels.

It is a refuge for mountain birds, such a sLammergeier and other vultures, Golden Eagle and more than 20 other raptor species. Other high-altitude species include Alpine Accentor, rock thrushes and choughs. The area is also good for eastern specialities such as Isabelline Wheatear, and, at almost the most westerly points of their range, Red-fronted Serin and Krüper’s Nuthatch. The dense fir forest holds Short-toed Treecreeper, Common Crossbill and Tengmalm’s Owl, a rare and very local bird in Turkey, as well as the White-backed Woodpecker.

The rare and local butterfly, Parnassius apollo graslini, is found on Uludag and the area has much of interest to botanists, with colourful pink primroses (Primula vulgaris var. sibthorpii), Leopard’s

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bane (Doronicum orientale), crocuses: the purple Crocus siberi and yellowCrocus flavus, and grape hyacinths (Muscari racemosum). There are also few wolfpacks roaming on the mountain.

Mount Uludag literally means the ‘Grand Mountain’ and offers a range of winter sports, including both skiing and snowboarding, and during the warmer summer months, lends itself to an array of recreational activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and camping. Featuring an altitude of more than 2,500 metres / 8,200 feet, whatever the time of year, you can be assured exceptional views from Mount Uludag, which stretch well beyond Bursa on a fine day.

Uludağ Ski Centre consists of two seperate parts. It has a 1st and 2nd Zone. There are 16 hotels up and operating in the Ist Zone where the investments have been completed. In the 2nd Zone where it had been declared as a “Tourism Centre” in 1986 has a 3300 bed capacity, a parcel of land for 11 hotels has been arranged and allocated to the Investors. There are numerous state-owned facilities and a hotel in Uludağ Ski Centre, 12 Public and 15 owned by the private sector. In total 27 accommodation facilities exist and a 3000 bed capacity. In addition to the hotels, shopping and entertainment centres, a health clinic also serves in Uludağ Ski Centre. In Uludağ Ski Centre there are Ski Rooms for hire, skiing kits for sale and ski trainers available for ski courses.

In Uludağ Ski Centre the ski tracks are about 20km long. In order to make Northern and Alphine Style Skiing, tour skiing and snowboarding there are suitable areas available also for Heliskiing. In Uludağ Ski Centre the height of the snow can reach upto 3 metres high during the winter. In Uludağ Ski Centre there are 8 chair-lifts and 7 teleskis serving.

The best times for skiing in Uludağ is during the period between December 20th and March 20th.

Uludağ Ski Centre gets about 3 metres of snow under normal winter conditions displaying powdery snow at the beginning and dewy snow towards the end of winter.

Uludağ’s Ski Centre’s hotel region include 8 chair-lifts and 7 teleskis in the 15 mechanical facilities there are 11000 person/hour capacity existing and 13 various ski tracks in the ski centre.

Transportaion to Uludağ Ski Centre can be accessed both by land and teleferic. There are in total four teleferic lines two of them in Bursa Kadıyayla (1235m) and two in Kadıyayla Sarı Alan (1621m).

On every line a cable car carrying 30 people runs. However it is forbidden to convey the skiing kits by teleferic. Minibuses work from Sarı Alan to Uludağ Ski Centre to the hotel region. The distance between Sarı Alan and Uludağ Ski Centre’s hotel region is 7 km. Moreover in the summer time from Sarı Alan to Çoban Kaya (1750m) can be accessed by chair-lift. The trip takes nearly 45 minutes.

The road from the centre of Uludag to the National Park entrance is 22 km,from the National Park to Uludağ Ski Centre the hotel region is 12 km. A Minibus and taxicab from Bursa city central to Uludağ can be found any hour of the day during winter.

Climbing up to Uludağ Ski Centre by minibus takes on average about 1hr 3o minutes. If accessing Uludağ Ski Centre by private vehicle Çekirge route is the appropriate option from Bursa. In winter chains, chock and tow rope should be carried in all vehicles. On the way to Uludağ there are stores to buy or hire chains.

In the summer, the mountain is also very popular with tourists and day trippers. Uludağ is within a national park, there is easy walking up the gentle slopes, beautiful glacial lakes and forests and Alpine meadows to picnic by, plenty of hotels, cable cars and fantastic food. In winter, Uludağ is transformed into a very popular and busy ski resort.

Dr. Metin Yurdakoş

tial”.

Following the opening speeches Mert Akkök, Founding Chairman of b2b Encounters mentioned the advantages of Bursa in the field of health care tourism, medical tourism and thermal tourism when he realized the presentation titled “Why Bursa?” at the initial conference of the forum participated into the forum

Mert Akkök

from United States of America worldwide famous Health Care Tourism Specialist Pramod Goel stated definitions pertaining to the principles of “Globalizing Health Care Tourism”.

First day of International Medical and Thermal Tourism was completed with bilateral business negotiations and Private Medicabil Hospital’s visit.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

Oylat: Nature’s wonder in Inegol Oylat, awaits visitors with its all beauties

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ocated in Inegol, Bursa, Oylat, a thermal fountain attracts domestic and foreign visitors with its whole beauties of nature. At the center of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, nature lovers, professional nature photographers, trekking groups visits Oylat, which also has the second largest cavern, a waterfall, a village market, a caravanserai and a town museum.

The legend of Oylat

The story goes back to the Byzantine era, when the ruler of the region has a beautiful daughter and she be-

comes ill. Physicians could not find cure for her illness and advices to send her to the spa in the woods. The ruler accepts the offer, because he thinks that she will die soon. They say, “Ol Yat” meaning that “Lay and Die”.

The girl takes bath every day in the hot water of the spa and begins to be healed, and comes back to her father’s palace. Since then people know that Oylat is a source of healing.

It is far from 26 Km. from Inegol, a province of Bursa. At the skirts of Uludag, at 840 meters, the location is a spa valley with its impressive nature and healing water.

In Oylat are hotels Asiyan

Fountain of health

The water of Oylat spa is drinkable. It is rich in minerals that add health. It cures calcification, rheumatisms, skin diseases, and gynecological diseases. Drinking it prevents kidney problems. The air in the area is rich in oxygen and is good for health.

Spa

Caglayan Hotel Spa center in Oylat offers special services and opportunities for those who want themselves to be refreshed. In specially decorated rooms, visitors feel themselves as if they are in a different world. Visitors may decide on the type of massages and cures of spa. Toxins are removed after the massage done with healing aromatic oils.

and Caglayan that await their guests and magnificent scenery. Facilities have pools, special cabins, saunas, and sports facilities.

Oylat Cave

It is the second largest cave in Turkey. It is compose of two layers and 750 meters long. It was formed 3 million years ago after the fracture of fault and emerging hot water in it. The air in the cave is good for inhalation and bronchitis. Temperature is stationary in the cave at 18 degrees of centigrade.

Stalactite, pillars, objects, columns, and craters are formed for centuries.

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Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

Modef promotes Inegol furniture for the international market

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Health Tourism Evaluated in Istanbul Health Tourism Program on the 10th Development Plan Evaluation Meeting, held in Istanbul, Halic Congress Center on March 15-16.

Continued From Page 16 odef offers a rich variety of top quality products and competitive price to companies Providing raw materials from its own resources, distinguished for high-quality materials and original designs, Inegol furniture products are renowned for the good price / cost balance. Operating in an effective and professional manner, Inegol furniture companies always offer best quality at best prices. Last year’s furniture fair was attracted more than 18,500 key buyers from 48 different countries.

Qatari representatives met with Turkish producers With the scope of the Modef Fair 2014 project, 13 companies and 14 representatives from Turkey and 52 furniture companies from Qatar, Modef has added a new element to its activities in Qatar on 19 February. Mohammad bin Ahmad al Obaidly, Qatar Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Mustafa Güleç, Qatar, Turkey Commercial Counselor attended to the bilateral talks held in Qatar.

Inegeul targets of $ 1 billion in exports Turkish companies from Inegol deliver fast and on time! Proximity to all markets and power derived from new technologies and qualified labor makes it possible to deliver rapidly and on time.

Inegol furniture brands offer concept integrity! Turkish Inegol furniture brands

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offer a wide range of products and services marked by concept integrity from sitting sets to bedroom sets, from dining room sets to items for teenager rooms and even including furniture accessories. Furniture demand increases with a dynamic and continuously developing structure!

A young and educated consumer group, increasing standards of living and an ever developing structure increased the demand for furniture substantially.

Increased purchases of furniture also increased the contribution of Turkish furniture brands to the domestic economy and the furniture industry has risen

in the world. Yearly construction of 600 thousand residences in line with the increasing educated and dominant population in the domestic market increases furniture investments considerably.

About Inegol Inegol is one of the biggest districts of Turkey. The population is in the district center is over 220.000 and reaching up to 250.000 with around villages and counties. The historical background of Inegol is rooted 3000 years and it is on the historical SILK ROAD. Having been surrounded by forests, wood carving industry starts at the beginning of 20th Century. Furniture Sector has started simply as timber, barrel, baker’s peel, phaeton manufacturing.

Today, İnegöl has become one the furniture buying center for the families with middle income.

Inegol is very advantageous in becoming a center in furniture industry comparing to rival centers. It is located in the heart of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir triangle, one step further from Ankara or Kayseri. Inegol is supplying raw material from the city boundaries as a great privilege. Inegol Furniture Sector is supplying raw materials from wood to chipboard, sponge, fabric or other needs from Inegol Organized Industrial Area with low cost. This privilege enables manufacturers low cost for quality products and let them use it in the market competition.

The Heart of Turkish Furniture is Inegol

Bursa attracts investors by offering challenging opportunities Continued From Page 1 ore than 550 Foreign Companies; including global giants Fiat, Bosch, Renault, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Nestle -Proximity to global & national markets -13 organized industrial zones & 1 free trade zone -Strategic geographic location providing logistics connections -3 universities offering world-class education -Globally competitive sectors of industry: Textile, automotive, machinery, readyto-wear, food and furniture -High tourism potential in winter sports, conference & convention, spa tourism, extreme sports and tourism.

Did you know?

-Bursa is the first capital of the Ottoman Empire -Ranks second in Turkey’s exports -Ranks first worldwide in terms of black fig and table olive production -Has 25 billions USD of Foreign trade volume -One out of two cars in Turkey is being manufactured in Bursa -Has a 470 thousand sq.m. technology development center area -Hosts numerous world’s giant multinational corporations -Is an attraction center for new investments -Has an advantage of access to qualified man power -Is the heart of winter tourism in Turkey -Has a big investment potential for thermal, nature and sea tourism

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Bursa Eskisehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEBKA) supporting several key projects in Bursa was established by the council of ministers decision, dated 14 July 2009.

Organizational structure of the Development Agency consists of Development Committee, Administrative Board and General Secretary. Development Committee acts as the advisory body, administrative board is the decision-making body and Secretariat General represents the executive body of the agency.

It has an effective management structure with an administrative board at the highest level of representation made up of governors, mayors, provincial general council presidents and chamber of industry and commerce presidents of the provinces in the region; a broad cooperation, participation and consultation network with the representatives of universities, public institutions, private sector and non-governmental organizations in the region; and a strong executive organ with qualified personnel that are competent and experienced in their fields.

BEBKA is an institution that directs development in the provinces of Bursa, Eskişehir and Bilecik by enhancing coordination and cooperation among public sector, private sector and non-governmental organizations; offering local-oriented solutions for local problems and promoting sustainable development

by means of proper and effective use of sources.

The main goal is to reduce intraregional development differences by providing coordination and cooperation among public sector, private sector, civil society and universities. In accordance with this purpose, 20102013 Bursa Eskisehir Bilecik Region Plan has been prepared determining regional priorities by means of scientific methods and participatory approach. Within the scope of this regional plan, a model was generated that will shape development in terms of project financial aids, training requirements, investment and promotion opportunities.

Development agency supports projects and activities that offer solutions for sectorial and thematic problems in the region within the frame of strategies and priorities presented in the regional plan. Development Agency supports consist of two sections as financial and technical supports. Direct financial supports granted

by BEBKA include projects supported by call for proposal method, research and planning studies with critical importance supported by direct activity method and large scale-projects supported by guided project support method that will accelerate regional development. On the other hand, technical support may be provided for the purpose of strengthening civil society in the region, developing local and rural capacities.

Continued from Page 1 long with the ministries, authorities from institutions and organizations related with health tourism from Mugla, Adana, Kocaeli, Istanbul and Bursa also participated the meeting as well.

“The private sector especially has a huge potential for the health tourism. Hospitals in Turkey are ready to serve foreign patients regarding medical infrastructure thanks to its quality on providing fast service and relevant costs. We can get even more revenue from health tourism compared with seasonal tourism,” said Omer Tontus, General Director, Ministry of Health General Directorate of Health Promotion. Tontus also stated that campaigns will be conducted under the motto of “Right Choice For Your Life” and also pointed out that the efforts have been carried out for so long will soon yield success.

Strongest participation was from Bursa

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Over 20 people joined the meeting organized by Ministry of Health General Directorate of Health Promotion. Ahmet Hamdi Usta, Samet Ercoskun and Ergun Gungor, the Deputy Governors of Bursa attended the meeting along with Dr. Ozcan Akan, Provincial Health Director; Dr. Metin Yurdakoş, Prof. Dr. Hakan Ozan, Cigdem Atalmıs, Chairman, Vice Chairman and General Secretary, BUSAT, respectively, and Op. Dr. Yavuz Baştug, General Secretary, Union of Public Hospitals of Bursa with his team.

Ahmet Hamdi Usta, Deputy Governor of Bursa, presented some information regarding the promotion of Bursa and said,

“Bursa is the city of firsts. It is also the 24th city having enrolled to EHTTA (European Historic Thermal Towns Association). Bursa is also the first and only city from Turkey having enrolled to EHTTA in 2013.”

Dr. Ozcan Akan, Provincial Health Director, made a presentation on Medical Health Tourism. Akan acknowledged the participants about the new health investments running in Bursa and pointed out the success of Bursa in organ transplantation.

Dr. Metin Yurdakos, Chairman, BUSAT (Health Tourism Association of Bursa) underlined the studies and synergy that Bursa has been conducting especially with the governorship, official bodies, local authorities, private hospitals, travel agencies and hotels. Yurdakos also referred the history of thermal springs in Bursa and provided some technical information on what benefits do thermal springs that have various specialities on which diseases. BUSAT Chairman pointed that Bursa has all the features that is required for a good thermal city.

Yurdakos underlined that Bursa has already been designed for thermal tourism thanks to its transportation, climatic properties, medical and thermal infrastructure, natural beauties, unique tourism diversity, approach of local people to tourists from various cultures, quick access to emergency medical services when required, diversity of food culture, availability of place of worships for all religions for faith tourism and experienced health and hospitality staff and also referred to the promotion activities of Bursa that is being conducted in the foreign markets.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

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Great Mosque, the spiritual value of Bursa

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reat Mosque (Ulu Cami) is one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture and is considered as one of the five most important sanctuaries of the Islamic world and is also the biggest and most glorious building in Bursa. Great Mosque, which is near the Caravanserai area in Atatürk Street is the most influential building of its time, both from the viewpoint of the workmanship and the architecture. It is the fourth mosque built by Sultans in Bursa. Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid conquered Bulgaria and reached Danuble River and also conquered Alanya and Tokat and dominated the commerce routes. This expansion turned Bursa into a silk and velvet commerce center and a warehouse of spices. This richness made it possible to construct the Grand Bazaar (Bedesten) and Yıldırım Hospital (bathhouse and caravanserai). The unique mosque which was built between the years of 1396-1399 is the largest mosque in the Turkish history with its inner service area.

The architect of this building was Ali Neccar and the best masters and artists were involved in its construction at that time. Great Mosque has two high minarets and twenty domes similar in size.

It is a classical and monumental example of mosques with multiple columns. There are four portals at three sides of the mosque.

The portal near the place of the sultan at the east is not used today. The other three doors are open at all times. The walls of the mosque are thicker than two meters at some parts and it has a roomy and spacious serving area for five thousand people. Great mosque has five segments and each segment has four domes. All domes were approximately similar in size but the center dome was constructed hypaethral. The rain, which through this wire fenced dome, fell in the pool underneath and the light from the dome illuminated the mosque.

Today the dome is covered with glass and cannot be used to collect rainwater however it is still

illuminating the mosque. The water tank with a fountain right underneath this dome has eighteen corners and gives a special ambience to the mosque. The pool can be used for ritual ablution and is one of its kinds. The pool is covered with glass and this feature illuminates the mosque with natural light. The reason, which is rumored for the construction of the pool, is as follows: During the land was purchased for the mosque an old lady, who was the owner of the land, refused to sell it. Strong claims and a dream, she had, convinced her to sell her land. After the land was pur-

and the body is made from brick.

The minaret at the eastern corner which is believed got to be constructed by Çelebi Mehmet is one meter far from the main outer wall and has a square pedestal.

Minaret balconies are the same in each one and are ornamented brick muqarnas. When the lead caps were destroyed in the fire in 1889 stone caps were built that still exist today. During the Ankara War between the Ottomans and the Mongols the mosque was damaged first by Timur and then

by Karamanoğlu. Çelebi Mehmet the son of Yıldırım Bayezid got the mosque repaired and the

chased, it was decided that one cannot pray on a land purchased from a women who wasn’t willing to sell her land in the first place. So a water tank with a fountain was built there. Great Mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques of the Turkish Islamic world, was constructed with smooth cutting stones. To reduce the massive effect of the thick walls pointed arches have been constructed for all domes at the façades. Every arch has got double lined two windows inside. The forms and sizes of all these windows are different at all façades.

The mosque which has two minarets at the corners of the north façade does not have a final prayer area. Both of the minarets does not touch the walls and are risen from the ground. The pedestal is octagonal and made from marble

mosque was opened to service once again in 1421. The domes of the mosque were damaged during the earthquake of 1855 and were repaired in 1862.

Treasures in the Mosque Great Mosque which is a monumental building has an extraordinary beautiful mimber, hand written scriptures on the walls, a pool with a sprinkler in the middle where it is possible to perform ablution, mysterious cross and a Star of David and magnificent beauties unique to Great Mosque. All these features make Great Mosque a very important work for the Turkish and Islamic Art. The minber, produced by Mehmet the son of Devaklı Abdülaziz, is composed of interlocking wooden pieces fitted together without nails; the woodwork is a masterpiece. The minber repre-

sents the universe. The solar system is carved into the wood. The planets are carved into the wood taking into account their distance from the sun and their proportional sizes. During the era, in which discussions occurred if the world was round or flat, a woodworker carving figures not simply as stars but as planets in the solar system remarkably corresponds to scientific knowledge of our time. Above the entrance of the minber it is written in Ottoman in golden letters “Built

by Yıldırım Bayezid Han in 804 Hijri Calendar”. At one side of the banister of the minber it is written with sülüs calligraphy style “the work of Mehmet the son of Devaklı Abdülaziz”. The signature of the artist has been noticed recently. At the eastern part of the minber there is a cabinet system that supports the minber composed of a narrow rectangle, a larger triangle and a striped cabinet. The carvings of the solar system on the rectangle and triangle parts still amaze visitors. There are 15 ornaments at the base of the minber (both at the east and west directions).

Three of them are rectangular and their meaning are, “start, exit and first”. The remaining 24 are the same with their macro

pure gold threads were readable. However today these verses have faded and are only readable under bright light. The mahfil of the muezzin made from hard walnut tree is located on eight columns. The mahfil was built in 1549. The stone pedestal made in 1815 is another unique work of art in the mosque. The upper and lower parts are carved from a single marble block. The verses of the Koran located at the top and sides of the mihrab, which was finished in 1571, was written by calligraphy masters. The Great Mosque can be called a calligraphy museum with its forty-five plates and eighty-seven inscriptions on the walls which were completed by twenty-one calligraphists. There are nine different calligraphy characters and every inscription has a different story.

For example it is believed that Hızır Alaihissalam prays in front of the Arabic letter “Waw” letter in the direction of the kiblah and when one happens to pray with him his wishes will come true.

At the same wall there is an image of the Kaaba and irrespective of the viewing angle the door of the Kaaba is always looking at the observer. There are two more water tanks with fountains at the northern courtyard. These two

twenty mosques if they win the war. Yıldırım Bayezid reached Niğbolu very fast and he gained a great victory with his army.

After the victory the Abbasid Khalif gave the title “Sultan-I İklimi Rum” to Yıldırım Bayezid which means the Sultan of Anatolia and there after it fell into a habit to call Ottoman emperors as Sultans. After Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid returned to Bursa he remembered his promise. However Emir Sultan recommended that there should be one mosque with twenty domes instead of twenty mosques and therefore Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid got Great Mosque constructed. Every dome in the Great Mosque is considered to be a single mosque.

The mosque was opened in 1399 during the 100th year of the foundation of the Ottoman Empire. Somuncu Baba, who was the teacher of one of the saints of Bursa Hajji Bayram Veli and had offered the first sermon, was seen at three of the portals of the mosque at the same time. He had to leave Bursa because his secret was uncovered. Emir Sultan, Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid and the first sheikh al-Islam of the Ottoman Empire Molla Fenari attended the first prayer in the mosque. The first imam of the mosque was Sü-

form but have different details.

Close columns with dark colors represent brothers and sisters. In the patters Üçoklar represents 12 Turkish Clans and Bozoklar represents another 12 Turkish Clans.

There are 24 Turkish clans represented on the minber. The cloth from Kaaba hung on the southern wall is a mystery. It is believed that the cloth is used as the first door cover of the mosque. When Yavuz Sultan Selim has won the Egypt battle and returned as the caliph with holy relics he also started the repairs of Mecca. The covers of Kaaba were replaced during the repairs. During this, the former cover was sent to Istanbul and the door cover of the Kaaba was sent to Great Mosque as a gift. Yavuz Sultan Selim has personally brought the cover and hung it to the wall of the Great Mosque. The cloth which originally had embroideries of verses of the Koran made with

fountains were damaged during the fire in 1958. There is a drinking fountain covered with tiles at the eastern courtyard. Other fountains were built recently. Another mystery that hasn’t been solved yet is the ornaments above the second window at the top of Crown portal. Similarly the window beside the minaret at the left from the northern portal has bars shaped as crosses differing from other bars. Some say that these symbols were made by non-Muslim masters who worked during the repairs after the earthquake.

They have been spotted after the repairs and have not been taken out and reached until today.

The Secret of the Domes After the King of Hungary with the support of other European states besieged Niğbolu Castle the commander of the castle Doğan Beg asked for help. Before deployment Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid promised to construct

leyman Çelebi, who remained as the imam of the mosque, until his death. Süleyman Çelebi was also the author of the Mawlid, the first muezzin was his Üftade, who was the teacher of Aziz Mahmut Hüdai. Another feature of the Great Mosque is the highly important religious level attained. The most important religious place is the Masjid al-Haram (Kaaba) in Mecca. The other important ones in the order of their importance are Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid-i Nebevi) (Medine), Golden Dome Mosque (Masjid-i Aqsa) (Jerusalem) and Umayyad Mosque (Masjid-i Emeviye) (Damascus).

After these four mosques the fifth most important mosque is the Grand Mosque of Bursa. The Grand Mosque is a magnificent masterpiece in Bursa. It should be valued and protected for future generations.

SOURCE: Website of Bursa Governorship

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

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Bursa Thermal Springs Keep on Healing For centuries anticipated by the people as the health source, Bursa thermal springs sustainably are used for treatment of diseases like joint diseases varying up to renal stone diseases.

Continued From Page 1 onsidering the history of our thermal waters; this therapeutic method which started during the Roman Empire’s era, is going on. Romans used to cure sick and depleted individuals by that method and tranquilize them. Again as it is obvious in history, the beauty of Queen Teodora is said to get her beauty from the thermal spring waters in Cekirge. In that respect, water sources at the district also called as Teodora thermal spring waters by the public. Also during Ottoman era Bursa thermal spring waters were important as well. As one of Ottoman Sultans, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman had his foot pains treated in Bursa.

Again, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk benefited from the thermal spring waters in Bursa. In Republic era plenty of foreigner politicians and superior level administrators received therapies in Bursa.

The only thermal spring water hospital of Turkish Armed Forces is in Bursa When Turkish Armed Forced made decision to install an exclusive center dealing with thermal spring water therapies, various researches were conducted. At the end of the researches concerning Turkey’s best thermal spring waters, best waters were decided to be in Bursa.

The only thermal spring water hospital peculiar for Turkish Armed Forces members currently keeps up its activities in a center sourced by the historical waters in that district. Consequently, a unique resource possessing such a beautiful past, provides cure for plenty of diseases.

Can you identify these diseases? For which disease therapies these natural sources are used?

Muscle and skeleton diseases are the first ones among them. Plenty of back, hip, knee pain can be given as examples. Again these waters are used in treatments of diseases like contraction, patients experiencing difficulty to open knee and elbow likewise joint sections following orthopedics post-operations, in some of the certain periods of herniated disc and cervical disc hernia, in chronic term rheumatism diseases, in disabled children rehabilitations, termed as calcification elderly people degenerative diseases, some forms of bowel and renal stone diseases. These thermal springs certainly are important when applied consciously and under physicians control. When entered randomly, it may sometimes lead to destructions rather than positive outcomes. Certainly when used under supervision of a physician; they are very useful for various diseases.

In a more detailed content, how do these waters provide benefits for diseases? When technically evaluated, what are the health sources in these waters?

Thermal spring resources have to be considered as a whole. For example, minerals in the waters have crucially important effects. In that respect, scientific methods have beenused for the water analysis and these waters even have been transferred to the people’s washbasins in their home settings however, the outcomes were not the same as thermal springs. From that point of the view, we discover that thermal spring therapy is a whole. Air at the origin of thermal spring, ions in the air, ecology of that region shall come together so that you can receive the same affect. Therefore, you can only have the exact effect when water’s heat, water’s stagnant form during therapy or fluctuations are not enough on its own. In medical there is a concept as adaptation period. As soon as an individual enters into thermal spring water, vessels are enlarged, heart pulse increases and tension varies fractionally since

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the individual contacts with heat. Here adaptation system comes into play and more mechanisms in the body start to operate more productively. Certainly in some circumstances, it is not enough to use the water alone.

In such circumstances, thermal spring waters should be used along with modern medical methods. Then the result is much better. Sometimes additional medication may be required.

Every individual takes responsibility.

Water exists on plenty of places all over the world. But the results gained when applied in combination with modern physics therapies and rehabilitation are as rapid and stable as incomparable with other methods.

These facilities excessively are found in Bursa. Also our University has a unit related to that field. So that we should appreciate these healthy resources. After the establishment of BUSAT (Bursa Health Care Tourism Association) these issues are brought to agenda again.

Our former Bursa governor Şehabettin Harput challenged too much to bring these issues to the agenda.

Our current governor Münir Karaoğlu, gave instructions with the aim of development of Bursa’s very important values of thermal spring and thermal tourism as soon as coming to power. Our regional development agency spends considerable effort in that respect. Bursa has got an important advantage in that issue. In the range of local administrations up to civilian society, institutions all individuals are oriented toward the same framework. That also proves us the fact that Bursa with respect to thermal tourism shall much more enhance its status in the future.

Could you please inform us about BUSAT? What kind of activities do you arrange as BUSAT? Bursa Health Care Tourism Association (BUSAT) is a civilian organization established approximately 2 years ago in cooperation with 16 urban volunteers.

As it can be seen from its definition, its fundamental purpose relies on the development of present health care tourism facilities in Bursa, the allocation of the importance of health care tourism in local area and at international level, making the advertisement of Bursa’s health care tourism providing the potential to benefit from facilities. Thermal therapies in Bursa enhanced significantly by means of allocations of the new waters into use that has been historically established and providing 300 liters/second usage in recent years.

Furthermore, also medical facilities made progress as well considerably in Bursa.

Our health care tourism employees have good command of English, German, Arabic and Russian languages. But medical special technical terms and cultural backgrounds of foreign patients remain unknown. Susceptibility of a British originated patient and a Russian may be entirely different. We provide education and training in those issues. Also our patients coming to receive treatment are pleased.

Bursa improves in health care tourism In line with state policies medical industry sophisticated too much in Bursa. We have got 4 very advanced accreditation system based hospitals like GCI. Again we have got plenty of hospitals possessing multiple accreditation systems. Related to medical branches heart diseases hospital, ophthalmology hospital, dentistry hospitals have been allocated. There are almost no therapies left that are absent in our general hospitals and in these hospitals all heavy burden operations are available. Again in Bursa very urgently needed in vitro fertilization centers enhanced crucially. Our province

Gumtop promotes health tourism Union of Southern Marmara Touristic Hotels, Gumtop, assumes responsibilities to revive old spas in Bursa by several activities. General Secretary of the Union, Mustafa Sezercan informed about the activities of the union.

General Secretary of the Union, Mustafa Sezercan

Continued From Page 1 n thermal resources in Bursa Spas in Bursa and Cekirge are the oldest thermal facilities in Turkey. Lately Bursa has lost its

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attraction. We aimed to restore its older position by investing and by new drills. We plan to establish a museum at the hearth of water sources. We supply hot water to the hotels in the area and try to maintain the bath culture in Bursa by renovating hotels in the region.

Hot water in Bursa are of three kinds. Water in Cekirge is rich in iron and emerges 55 degree centigrade. It is good for physiotherapy and rehabilitation and for gout. Water in Kukurtlu, has more sulphur in it and is good for skin diseases.

Water of Kaynarca is also rich in iron.

On health tourism and activities in Bursa First the waters in the hotels should be classified as thermal facilities.

The emerging water in Cekirge is shared by hotels in Vakif Bahce, as much as their licenses. Hotels serve

now as city hotels.

In a meeting that was held recently, we discussed about the restoring the old city up to its Ottoman era functions and we all agreed on the project. We aim to realize this vision by cooperating our member hotels.

Support of Bursa Chamber of Commerce I am a member of the chamber’s 35th committee. We brought our proposal to the chamber. They accepted and decided to support the project that will exhibit the resource.

Number of beds in Bursa risen to 13 thousand from 8 thousand. We have aware of our responsibilities.

We have to help and support all activities of our member hotels. Spa centers that have been established in larger hotels were also helpful for our mission.

has significantly progressed in plenty of fields such as plastic surgery, physic therapy and rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, organ implants, cancer therapies.

In urgent circumstances ambulances, helicopters and airplanes are available for transportation. Briefly, on the behalf of technology all issues relevant to health care sector are offered in Bursa. These opportunities are also offered to the use of our foreign guests.

We as BUSAT made advertisement in the country and abroad about these issues. We are more concentrated to abroad market. In that respect, an amazing awareness regenerated in Bursa. We resemble health care tourism as the shift from heavy industry to industrial manufacturing. Tourism is a very frustrating but having low return figures. Whereas healthcare tourism is a sector providing income per capita in the range of 5 and 10 thousand dollars to the nation. Because in therapies advantages such as advanced technology, natural possibilities, qualified labor force are provided.

BUSAT in association with these facilities challenges to access the health care allocation environment to 1 billion of individuals in 3-4 hours distance. In past Soviet republics, in bay nations, in North Africa great deal of diseases cannot be cured. Residents of these regions travel to Europe and America searching out remedy for their expectation. But assigning same quality support from Bursa and Turkey half price service provision opportunities are allocated. They newly discover this. Pertaining to price quality and allocation of fast results, Turkey and Bursa circumvented their rivalries. Searching out to execute huge volume of operations in Europe you need to spend much effort. But

here very sooner and much more efficient results shall be enabled. Several days after the analysis of a person coming here surgical operations shall be available. We are also advantageous in that matter. As BUSAT, we challenge to announce these therapies to audiences whom are in the requirement of these therapies.

Which country’s patients are treated in recent days? In what way these patients return to you?

Recently, bay countries and Azerbaijani patients have been welcomed. They prefer Bursa for medical and thermal therapies. We have got a serious patient group from Europe. Our expatriate citizens from France, Holland, Germany and individuals from their own social environment apply for therapy. North African nations; especially from Libya we have got considerable patients. Apart from this, slowly patients from Tunisia, Ukraine and Russia started to make application. As I outlined before we have the capacity to allocate health care therapies to 1 billion of citizens in 3-4 hours distance. Number of health care tourists recently increased 5 folds in Bursa. In association with the increase of advertisements and awareness of the inhabitants in that region, we anticipate that figure to proliferate exponentially.

Turkey not only for summer tourism also will be preferred for health care tourism.

Bursa is very close to İstanbul. By that location its transportation is very easy. Furthermore, it is a seldom place where summer, winter and health care tourisms are unified together. When natural landscape is harmonized with these opportunities I see that Bursa is a province worth to be seen and visited by all individuals. Our society adopted an understanding respectfully treating tourists’ traditions and heritages, tolerating their cultural manner rather than hesitating. If you are in the search of history, culture, nature, sea, summer and winter tourism social life and entertainment, thermal spring and thermal plants, Bursa possesses these.

Final issues you would like to include Worldwide globally realized expenditures for health care tourism accounts 200 billion dollars and Turkey receives a portion from that around 2 and half billion dollars. That portion was generated from 480 thousand patients whom visited our country in the year 2013. Among these patients only 5.730 of them visited Bursa. We think that figure is low because just 2 years passed since the commencement of Bursa’s health care treatment facilities. As long as promotion and advertisement campaigns are done we think that figure will increase.

Made in Bursa Economic Newspaper

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International medical and thermal tourism forum held in Bursa T

he forum brought together a lot of intermediary firm representatives coming from Germany to Russia, from Moldova to the UAE… • Bursa Vice Governor Ercoşkun: Tourists who come to Bursa for health generation will discover the difference of Bursa…

• Busat Chairman Dr.

Yurdakoş: Bursa comprehended the impact of health care tourism.

• Busat Founding Chairman Dr. Esgin: Bursa will be a globally visited thermal and medical province…

Bursa – Bursa has added new success to Turkey’s accomplishments in the field of health care tourism for longer than 10 years. In that respect,

BUSAT (Bursa Health Care Tourism Association) organized International Medical and Thermal Tourism Forum in collaboration with Bursa Governorship, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s. The participations initiated with opening ceremony speeches held at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

To the opening of International Medical and Thermal Tourism Forum, Bursa Vice Governor Samet Ercoşkun, Bursa Province Public Hospitals Community General Secretary Op. Dr. Yavuz Baştuğ, BUSAT Founder President and AK Party Nilüfer Mayor Candidate Dr. Mustafa Esgin, BUSAT Founder President Dr. Metin Yurdakoş, BALKANSİAD President Naci

Şahin and in Bursa city either in addition to authorized personnel of private and state hospitals also plenty of intermediary firm representatives sending health care tourists from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, United Arabian Emirates, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Germany, Bulgaria, Moldova participated. Page 11

Bursa has marble reserves worth $105 billion Turkey’s marble experts have discovered 900 million tons of reserves in the northwestern province of Bursa that could be worth up to $105 billion, according to sector representatives.

Bursa has marble reserves to last eight centuries, said Erol Efendioğlu, head of the Marble Producers and Industrialists Association (MASDİAD).

MASDİAD honorary board member Mus-

tafa Topaloğlu, who is also a law professor at Ankara’s Beykent University, had requested that a study be conducted in Bursa’s

Orhaneli town. This was the first reserve study on Turkish marble, Efendioğlu said at a press meeting in the province.

“Marble reserves cannot be extracted easily, unlike oil or

gold. The reserve here can be processed for around 800 years,” he pointed out.

Chinese businesses have expressed an in-

terest in Bursa marble, he said, noting that they particularly interested in beige.

The 25 marble miners in the region possess licenses for the business and no newcomers are expected, he said.

There are around 2,200 marble mines and 1,600 production facilities across Turkey, he said. Topaloğlu said he expected marble exports to reach $2 billion this year, adding that, when including the domestic market, the sector produced $5 billion in value added. Turkey is currently the third biggest producer of marble in the world, following China and India, he said.

Turkey has 36 percent of the world’s marble

reserves, according to the Turkish General Directorate of Mining Affairs with a large concentration of quarries in the southeast.

Turkey sells marble to 147 coun-

tries, including China, US, England, France, Germany and Russia, noted Turk. Turkey exported more

than 4 million tonnes of marble in 2013, reaching an export value of 2.225 billion dollars.

Other countries that buy marble from Turkey are Canada, Israel, Azerbaijan,

United Arab Emirates, India, Libya, Australia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Turkmenistan, Qatar and Indonesia.

Modef promotes Inegol furniture for the international market

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ith the number of 260 large-scale factories, 1000 exhibition halls and 1500 production centers, Inegol, one of Turkey’s largest furniture manufacturer hubs, exports to more than 110 countries. Modef plays an important role in the recognition of Inegol furniture products. International promotional activities began to speed up for Modef Expo 2014. 31st Furniture and Decoration Fair, Modef Expo will be organized in Inegol/Bursa on 15-20 April.

In addition to the trade fairs, organizing a trade meeting in Qatar with the participation of 13 companies and 14 representatives from Turkey and 52 furniture companies from Qatar, Modef has added a new element to its activities.

The heart of the Turkish furniture industry will beat in 31st Modef - Furniture and Decoration Fair In the fair to be held 15 to 20 April 2014 in Turkey, more than 150 furniture manufacturers and decorators will display their products and new design concepts for professionals from around the world. In this exhibition, visitors belonging to both modern and classic design themes may experience the broad range of products. On the other hand, in accordance with Turkey’s position, international shipments to European countries, Turkic Republics and Middle East countries, can be made easily. In this way, this fair will be a meeting point to come together for collaborations for all of these countries in the future poses. Page 13