Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
Istanbul's business chambers begin elections for new leadership
Istanbul's industry and commerce chambers are holding elections for new committee and council members.
The Istanbul Chamber of Industry vote is scheduled for October 26, and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce vote for October 27.
The two chambers represent a large share of Turkey's business community, and the commerce chamber has nearly 850,000 members.
The first-round votes will choose committee and council members, not the chamber presidents.
The industry chamber will elect 367 committee members, while the commerce chamber will elect 620.
The new councils will choose chamber leaders on November 4, along with other officials and delegates.
The current commerce chamber president, Şekib Avdagiç, is seeking another term, while Adnan Dalgakıran and Ender Yılmaz are expected to compete for the industry chamber presidency.
Istanbul’s two major business chambers are holding the first stage of elections to choose professional committee and chamber council members.
The Istanbul Chamber of Industry’s vote is scheduled for 26 October 2026, followed by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce vote on 27 October.
The two chambers’ council members are due to elect their new presidents and boards on 4 November.
The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce has nearly 850,000 members, while the Istanbul Chamber of Industry has more than 22,000.
- Who
- Members of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and Istanbul Chamber of Commerce are voting.
- What
- They are electing professional committee and chamber council members in the first stage of leadership elections.
- When
- 26 and 27 October 2026; a second stage is scheduled for 4 November.
- Where
- The industry chamber vote is at Haliç Congress Center; the commerce chamber vote is at Istanbul Expo Center in Yeşilköy.
- Why
- The first-stage results will determine committee and council membership; council members will then elect the chambers’ new leaders.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Istanbul Chamber of Industry is scheduled to elect professional committee and chamber council members at Haliç Congress Center.
The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to hold its first-stage election at Istanbul Expo Center.
Council members of both chambers are scheduled to elect their new board presidents and boards.
- Istanbul Chamber of Commerce membership
- Nearly 850,000
- Istanbul Chamber of Industry membership
- More than 22,000
- Industry chamber committees
- 57 committees; 367 members to be elected
- Commerce chamber committees
- 80 committees; 620 members to be elected
- Council seats
- 155 at the industry chamber; 270 at the commerce chamber
What people are saying
We will hold our elections in a very large area of 40,000 square metres. This will provide a much more spacious and comfortable environment for the election.