Çalık Holding Chairman Ahmet Çalık has been conferred upon an “Honorary Doctorate” degree by Kindai University in Osaka, Japan. The second honorary doctorate degree presented to Ahmet Çalık in Japan recognizes his outstanding contributions to the development of socioeconomics in Turkey and Japan in the fields of textile, economy, finance, telecommunications and energy. Ahmet Çalık had received his first honorary doctorate degree in Japan from Matsumoto Dental University.
The honorary doctorate degree was presented to Ahmet Çalık at a ceremony held on Saturday, October 22nd, 2016 at Kindai University with the participation of President Emeritus of Kindai University Alumni Association and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Hiroshige Seko, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Tokyo Ahmet Bülent Meriç, Special Adviser to the Cabinet Isao İijima, Chairman Yoshihiro Shimuzu, President Hitoshi Shiozaki, Director of Graduate Schools Takashi Aoki, Dean of Graduate School of Commerce Yukio Kodono, Dean of Faculty of Business Administration Tadaaki Yamaguchi, academics and Çalık Holding top management. Mr. Çalık received the honorary doctorate degree from Kindai University President Hitoshi Shiozaki.
Underlining Japan’s importance as a key player for both Turkey and Çalık Group, Çalık Holding Chairman Ahmet Çalık noted that he had been to Japan numerous times as a representative of the Turkish business community and as a part of the operations of Çalık Holding, which he founded, and added: “There is a very special reason why I’m here today. I’m deeply humbled and honoured to receive this Honorary Doctorate degree conferred upon me by one of the best universities in the world, Kindai University, in Japan, which I love very much.”
Emphasizing on the friendly relations between Japan and Turkey in the international arena as the easternmost and westernmost countries in Asia, Ahmet Çalık stressed on their strong ties of affection, which is very rare in the international community, despite the long distance separating them. Expressing his belief in the further improvement of these ties along with the expansion of trade volume between the two countries, Çalık said: “I am more than pleased to have observed the depth, momentum and diversity recently gained in the Turco-Japanese relations. The recent increase particularly indirect investments has resulted in a significant growth in our economic relations. There are many great investment opportunities for Turkish and Japanese companies to collaborate in Turkey, the neighbouring regions and at a global scale. As the Turkish business community, we hope that our partnerships with our Japanese friends will grow through sustainable projects.”
Partnering up with Japanese companies for more than 25 years on major projects in Central Asia and particularly in Turkmenistan, Çalık Group continues its investments in the region. Having undertaken in collaboration with Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries the construction of a $ 1.3 billion fertilizer plant, which will be one of the largest manufacturing plants in Central Asia upon its completion, Çalık Group plans to implement new projects together with Japanese companies in Eurasia and Africa, which holds great business potential.
