The OSTİM Defence and Aerospace Cluster (OSSA) General Assembly was held in the OSTİM-ODTÜ Technopark meeting hall. The assembly aimed to increase the capabilities and potential of sector manufacturers through the cluster.
The Ostim Defense and Aerospace Cluster Association, which brings together the Ostim defense industry sector, held its general assembly.
At the general assembly, attended by Ankara Chamber of Industry President Nurettin Özdebir, OSTİM KOSGEB Director Mehmet Tezyetiş, OSTİM Organized Industrial Zone President Orhan Aydın, Regional Manager Adem Arıcı, and defense industry sector manufacturers, Orhan Aydın was elected as the chairman of the assembly, and KOSGEB President's Advisor Murat Kepir and Head of the Helicopter Department of the Undersecretariat of Defense Industry Köksal Liman were elected as members.
During the meeting, the activities of the previous term were summarized, and the work program for the new term was shared with sector representatives. In addition, elections were held for the new management and supervisory board members of OSSA. As a result of the elections, Mithat Ertuğ, Hamdi Tavşan, Nihat Özönder, Ali Han, Behzat Zeydan, Sedat Çelikdoğan, and Ümit Çağlayan were elected to the management board.
Özdebir: It worked!
Ankara Chamber of Industry President Nurettin Özdebir, noting that significant progress has been made in these clustering efforts initiated by Orhan Bey in 2007, described the current state of the clustering with the expression "it has taken root." Özdebir continued: “It has been very successful, and many excellent clustering initiatives have been launched. One of the most important is OSSA. Mr. Orhan Aydın's contribution to creating this synergy is undeniable. Another important institution is the Undersecretariat of Defense Industry. SSM is actually doing very important work. For our country to achieve the desired development, we need to be able to produce higher value-added products. We need to do things that will raise our technology level. SSM, through its work on the nationalization of products, has created a park in Ankara. SSM not only provides for the needs of the armed forces, but also manages this sector. All other ministries and institutions need to adopt this strategy implemented by SSM and contribute to local industrial development. Regional industrial development cannot be achieved solely through main contractors. You are the real heroes of this development. Thanks to clustering initiatives, production has spread to the grassroots level. Furthermore, thanks to OSSA, Ankara has become the center of the aviation and space industry, as announced by our Prime Minister. If these efforts hadn't been made, the center of the aviation industry might have been Eskişehir or İzmir.” Stating that all these successes stemmed from working together, Özdebir said, "From now on, we will be together even more, we will achieve even more, and we will produce even more."
"We need to create a brand."
Özdebir stated that the development of the country's industry and the enhancement of the country's image require focusing on higher quality production, emphasizing the need to "create brands." He added that the most prestigious undertaking in this field is aircraft production, continuing: "If you have aircraft, if the air is flying, you are technologically distinct from many other countries. Especially if you can turn this into a commercial aircraft or a fighter jet and sell it to other countries, it further enhances the country's image. Following that comes cars, then engines… Hopefully, there will be positive developments in all these areas. All that's needed is stability and the ability to come together like you."
Özdebir stated that, in accordance with the protocol signed recently with the Metropolitan Municipality, they are also conducting a study on which products the Municipality can procure from local producers, and added that Orhan Aydın has been appointed as the coordinator of this matter.
Aydın: We are happy to see the results of our efforts.
Aydın stated that thanks to OSSA's activities, Ankara has become synonymous with the defense industry, and expressed his great pleasure in seeing these results, saying: “The cluster's organization and structure excite us greatly. The institutions and organizations within the cluster are fulfilling a very important mission, operating in a very advanced sector such as the defense industry and aviation. The work done so far has greatly contributed to our region and Ankara becoming synonymous with these two sectors. We started this journey simply to bring together the companies in OSTİM and increase their synergy, but today we have reached a point where we are practically making our mark on this sector in Turkey, shaping its policies, and supporting regional development. We are enjoying the satisfaction of seeing these results. Our cluster member companies have now become leading players in Ankara and Turkish industry.”
Ünal: “We will increase the capacity and capabilities of our sector.”
At the general assembly where the OSSA Board of Directors' activity plan for 2012 was discussed, the plan was shared with the participants under three main headings. Accordingly, in 2012, OSSA will focus on activities in the areas of external perception and recognition, institutionalization, funding sources, and revenue generation. OSSA Cluster Coordinator Hilal Ünal said the following regarding the planned activities:
“As OSSA, we completed our association process in 2011 and gained legal status. This was the most important step in being able to apply for these funds and resources. In 2012, we will be working to improve the products and systems of our companies, increase their export capacity, and enhance their competitiveness. In these efforts, we plan to benefit from the funds of supporting institutions such as the Ministry of Economy, the Central Finance and Contracts Board, and the Development Agency. We will also continue our institutionalization efforts. To increase the level of technology utilization by our companies, we will conduct R&D studies with the universities we collaborate with. As in 2011, in 2012 we will follow important fairs, congresses, and symposiums in the sector and ensure the participation of our companies. With all these activities, our aim is to increase the domestic and international recognition and business capacity of the companies that are members of the OSTİM Defense and Aerospace Cluster.”
