A cooperation protocol on resulting in Turkey’s first specially-licensed cotton warehouse facility was signed between İZLADAŞ, a venture fully-financed by İzmir Commodity Exchange, and Çalık Agricultural Products Warehousing Company (Çalık Tarım Ürünleri Lisanslı Depoculuk A.Ş.).
As part of the protocol, İZLADAŞ, with its fourth branch to open in Şanlıurfa, will sort out the grade of the cotton products to be delivered to Çalık Agricultural Products Warehousing Company according to the quality standards determined by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture.
At the protocol ceremony, İzmir Commodity Exchange Chairman Işınsu Kestelli stated that she was very happy to unite two major players of Turkey’s agricultural sector in such an important joint project. Kestelli said: “İZLADAŞ, which was financed entirely by the İzmir Commodity Exchange, commenced operations at the end of 2014. İZLADAŞ is the sole authorized classifier company in Turkish cotton sector; and provides classifier service to licensed warehouses in three different locations in İzmir, Selçuk and Şanlıurfa. Cotton is a product of strategic importance for our country. The system used in our venture, developed by Çalık Agricultural Products Warehousing Company, enables cotton growers to store their products in the healthiest conditions possible; and market them at their true value. We are very happy to be able to implementing this project with you. I wish our collaboration to benefit the entire cotton industry in Turkey.”
Emphasizing that a long-term cooperation with İZLADAŞ would benefit the entire cotton industry, Onur Yüksel, board member of Çalık Agricultural Products Warehousing Company said: “We continue our efforts to increase the brand value of the cotton of our Turkey and Şanlıurfa and to turn it into a product that is demanded by the entire world market. In this context, we invested approximately 100 million TL in Şanlıurfa. As Çalık Group, we have been creating employment in the textile sector since the 1930s. We know how important this sector is for our country as it helps close Turkey’s foreign trade deficit. With the first private sector investment in its area, we aim to create added value for our farmers, stakeholders and all individuals and institutions affiliated with the Turkish cotton industry. We hope that our long-term cooperation with İZLADAŞ will benefit the entire sector.”