Finance, Academia and Business Reunion for the Second TSKB Development Day
Working for Türkiye's multidimensional development since 1950, TSKB organized the second round of TSKB Development Day, which had been inaugurated in 2024 to contribute to a green and inclusive future. This year's conference brought together many stakeholders including representatives of international development organizations, academic institutions and the business world under the theme of ‘Enhancing Potential Growth Through Triple Transformation’. TSKB CEO Murat Bilgiç delivered an opening speech for the event, which housed discussions on the concept of development with a focus on green, technological and social transformation. "It is fundamentally important that the public sector, private sector, academia and civil society act within a common vision to ensure sustainable development in the triple transformation process. At TSKB, we will employ our 75 years of deep-rooted experience, qualified human resources, financial capacity and strategic perspective to keep contributing to this transformation."
TSKB, Türkiye's first and only private-equity development and investment bank, once again brought together the public sector, academia and the business world for the second TSKB Development Day on the Bank’s 75th anniversary. Held at Çırağan Palace on May 28, the event championed the theme of ‘Enhancing Potential Growth Through Triple Transformation’ with a specific focus on green, technological and social transformation. TSKB launched TSKB Development Day in 2024 to contribute to Türkiye's goals for a sustainable future in a cooperated and synergic manner by bringing the Bank's substantial experience garnered over 75 years to a broad stakeholder base on a common ground. This year’s TSKB Development Day also hosted leading speakers from Türkiye and abroad.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, TSKB CEO Murat Bilgiç highlighted TSKB's 75-year journey. "At TSKB, we have always believed that sustainable development is not only an economic transformation but also a social, environmental and cultural transformation. For 75 years, TSKB has played a transformative role, and we see development as a separate merit beyond economic growth. We attach utmost importance to leaving no one behind, fairly sharing the consequent welfare within a development approach driven by a sustainable future, creating value for all and thus investing in equal opportunities. Today, we host TSKB Development Day for the second time, focusing on green transformation, digitalization and social inclusion. Our world is currently experiencing the triple transformation process, which is critical to enhancing our country's potential growth. We need to manage this transformation within a holistic development approach and deepen cooperation between the public sector, private sector, academia and civil society."
Mr. Bilgiç stated that in the Bank's 75th year, they expanded their support to Türkiye's strategic development areas. "We are delighted to sign on this meaningful day two new and key agreements that will bring our country closer to its sustainable future goals. Today, we signed with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank the ‘Sustainable Energy and Infrastructure Facility, Phase 3’ loan agreement worth USD 200 million, with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye as the guarantor, to finance private sector investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, climate-related industries and digital infrastructure. Furthermore, we signed a EUR 25 million loan deal with the Development Bank of Austria to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency investments across Türkiye. The loan agreements we signed this year enabled us to secure USD 300 million in funds from international development organizations. We will continue to finance investments in line with the Bank's financing objectives focused on sustainable development goals. I hope these agreements will be favorable for our country."
Speeches by Key Experts from Türkiye and Abroad
During the opening ceremony, Hakan Güldağ, Chairman of Ekonomi Newspaper, the media partner of the conference, addressed the participants following TSKB CEO Murat Bilgiç. The opening ceremony was followed by multiple sessions throughout the day. The session speakers and panelists respectively included Prof. James A. Robinson, Nobel laureate academician, political scientist and author; Prof. Ufuk Akçiğit, academician and economist; Associate Prof. Cevat Giray Aksoy, EBRD Associate Director of Research; Dr. Burcu Ünüvar, TSKB Chief Economist and Director; Prof. Selçuk Şirin, academician and author; Halil Aksu, Digitopia CEO and founder of Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Initiative; Prof. Itır Erhart, academician and social entrepreneur; Dr. Dilek Turan, Co-founder and CEO of Good Sanitation Company; Murat Ugiş, WeWALK Founding Member and CMO, and Ulaş Kayır, Wastepresso Founding Member.
The conference was followed by TSKB’s 75th year reception. To celebrate this special day, stakeholders shared their visions for the country's development journey.
