The Power of Small Businesses at the Heart of Global Finance: A Strategic Financial Move by UEB President Mehmet Özdil

Mr. Mehmet Özdil, President of the International Confederation of Small Business Owners (UEB), held a major strategic meeting with Mr. Recep Türk, Deputy General Manager of Ziraat Katılım, at the Istanbul Finance Center—the vision hub of Turkey’s financial sector. At the summit, visionary financing models that will strengthen our small business owners’ position in both global and local markets, radical reductions in POS commissions, and massive bulk purchasing programs were discussed.

The International Tradespeople’s Union (UEB) continues to take major strides toward its mission of transforming our tradespeople and artisans into leading actors not only in the local economy but also in the global financial system and the digital age. This critical meeting, held at the Istanbul Financial Center—Turkey’s global showcase in the financial sector—heralded historic decisions that will shape the future of our small business owners.

A Coalition for Small Business Owners at the Istanbul Financial Center

At the meeting, attended by a delegation led by UEB President Mr. Mehmet Özdil, along with Ziraat Katılım Deputy General Manager Mr. Recep Türk and other senior officials, strategic channels of cooperation were established to carry the traditional small business structure into the economy of the future.

During the meeting, the following groundbreaking initiatives—which will multiply the trade volume of our small business owners and artisans—were agreed upon:

• Uninterrupted and Robust Financing Flow: Flexible and robust financing models that will enhance our small business owners’ capital strength and accelerate investments through the unique opportunities offered by participation banking,

• A Major Reduction in POS Commission Costs: Radical concessions and advantageous financial packages in favor of small and medium-sized business owners regarding POS commission rates, which currently place a heavy burden on them,

• Massive Collective Purchasing and Procurement Power: Integrating banking infrastructure into collective purchasing programs spearheaded by UEB to minimize input costs for our small business owners,

• A Vision for Global Competitiveness: Strategic financial safeguards to prevent our small business owners from being overwhelmed by chain stores and global players in national and international markets.

Our President Mehmet Özdil: “We Are Elevating Our Small Business Owners to the Summit of Finance and Trade”

Following the summit, UEB President Mehmet Özdil, who shared good news with the small business community, emphasized that they would continue their uncompromising struggle for the well-being and future of small business owners, stating:

“We visited Mr. Recep Türk, Deputy General Manager of Ziraat Katılım, at the General Manager’s office in the Istanbul Financial Center—a symbol of our nation’s pride.

At this extremely critical and productive summit, we reached a complete consensus on our field expectations—including ensuring our small business owners and artisans have the easiest and most favorable access to financing, reducing input costs through our bulk purchasing programs, and taking major steps in favor of our small business owners regarding POS commission rates—we reached a comprehensive consensus on our field expectations.

We are determined to protect every kuruş of our small business owners, grow their businesses, and carry them into the future as strongly as possible. On behalf of myself and our association, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Recep Türk, Deputy General Manager of Ziraat Katılım, for his gracious hospitality, visionary approach, and the deep interest he has shown in our small business community."