A delegation, including Halit Ali Şirikçi and Halil İbrahim Caner, assigned to represent the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure"s General Directorate of Shipyards and Coastal Structures, met with Levent Hakkı Yılmaz, President of the İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to obtain their views on the establishment and operation of shipbuilding facilities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

During the meeting, the geographical and strategic advantages of İskenderun Bay, the economic contributions of shipyard investments, the region"s iron and steel infrastructure, sub-industry potential, and employment opportunities were discussed. The delegation emphasized that the Eastern Mediterranean"s location on energy and trade corridors holds strategic value for the shipbuilding industry. In line with the objectives set out in the 12th Development Plan and the Presidential Annual Programs, it was noted that work is ongoing to identify new shipyard areas for ship maintenance, repair, and construction activities in the region, and that the opinions of local institutions and organizations are of great importance in this process.

ITSO President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz stated that these investments will provide significant economic, commercial, and employment gains for the region, and that the İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry will provide all kinds of support to this process.

It was stated that the visit constituted an important consultation process regarding the steps to be taken towards İskenderun becoming a regional center in the shipbuilding industry.