Mr. Atilla AYDOGMUSH is a key figure bridging Turkish and Uzbek business. In an interview with our magazine’s correspondent, the representative of the World Turkish Business Council (DTİK) in Uzbekistan discussed the DTİK organization, his entrepreneurial activities in Uzbekistan, and shared his vision for the development of Uzbekistan’s light industry.
– Mr. Aidogmush, first of all, our readers are interested in your account of DTİK, its goals and objectives.
– The goal of DTİK, established under the patronage of DEİK on December 26, 2007, is to bring together on a single platform Turkish entrepreneurs residing abroad who strive for the effective work of our country abroad, and Turkish specialists heading decision-making mechanisms in powerful international companies.
The World Turkish Business Council (DTİK) aims to create a strong communication network and ensure effective knowledge sharing among business people of Turkish origin and compatriots friendly to our country residing abroad, within the framework of «diaspora diplomacy» Fulfilling the tasks of uniting and developing relations between them, the organization acts as a bridge of communication, operating within DEİK – the Foreign Economic Relations Board.
Striving to increase the value of Turkey’s national power not only economically but also strategically, DTİK is also a meeting place for influential figures from around the world to discuss and jointly solve common problems in areas such as politics and diplomacy, science and education, international business and trade, culture, art and sport, and works towards achieving its success globally by establishing connections between Turkish representatives studying abroad and friends of Turkey.
Thanks to its new structure and strong Board of Directors, DTİK operates with representatives from countries and cities in 7 regional representative councils (Africa – Middle East – Persian Gulf, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, Balkans, Eurasia and Europe).
DTİK is the only platform where Turkish associations and foundations can unite according to the principle of national unity and solidarity and coordinate their actions based on mutual understanding in cooperation with friendly diasporas.
Thanks to DEİK’s extensive global network, DTİK has the opportunity to unite compatriots and friends of Turkey from different parts of the world within the framework of official or private foreign visits.
The President of DEİK and DTİK is Mr. Nail Olpak.
– Given the significant potential for cooperation between Turkey and Uzbekistan, what are the most promising areas of bilateral cooperation, and what factors can ensure its successful development in the near future, despite external challenges?
– Turkey and Uzbekistan are two states with a long shared history. As two brotherly nations with significant common values culturally, religiously, and mentally, they can implement numerous joint projects. Close cultural unity and similar approaches to business allow for quick solutions in the implementation of mutually beneficial projects. The common language, culture, and religion, similarities in lifestyle, customs, and ethnicity create a comfortable environment for citizens of both countries to work in. Turkey’s experience in technology, science, and engineering, combined with Uzbekistan’s rich resources (raw materials, agriculture), its integration with Central Asian markets, and its rapidly growing workforce, create favorable conditions for the implementation of numerous joint projects in various sectors of the economy.
Turkey’s experience and knowledge in the healthcare system, medical services, and the pharmaceutical sector, in engineering and technical developments for the defense industry, the strength of its transport infrastructure and shipping, mechanical engineering and chemical industry, potential for interaction with European markets, the achievements and successes of Turkish scientists in developing the country’s agro-industrial complex, and its accumulated years of experience in the tourism sector provide serious advantages for Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan’s rich resource opportunities coupled with its young workforce, the inexhaustible potential of the Uzbek people’s industriousness, a sincere desire for integration with the world, an interest in information technology and new knowledge, open and healthy relationships with Central Asian countries, development along the path of industrialization and urbanization, and efforts to improve people’s living standards – all create fertile ground for fruitful joint work by both sides.
For this reason, in my opinion, the activity of our two brotherly countries will increase even more in the coming period, even despite modern challenges and temporary difficulties due to reasons beyond our control; the progress of our interaction is unstoppable. I would like to reiterate that the common language is the greatest link between the Turkish and Uzbek peoples. Whatever the form of communication, our common language and customs are our greatest wealth.
– It’s known that you have businesses in the textile and other industries. Please tell us about their activities in Uzbekistan.
– I’ve been working in Uzbekistan since 2004. I started my career in engineering at textile factories, and since 2006 I’ve been involved in production. Initially, I was attracted to knitwear production, then I became interested in creating home and hotel textiles under the EMA and ADORA brands, and then I got involved in the construction of villas and warehouses, as well as the furniture sector. Currently, my team and I are constructing production, warehouse, and retail spaces totaling 17,000 square meters, as well as villas in different districts of Tashkent.
– As an expert, could you share your opinion on the future of Uzbekistan’s textile industry?
– Uzbekistan should produce more value-added products in the textile sector. At the beginning of our operations, companies produced cheap goods – that’s understandable – but today, we should increasingly focus on higher-quality, more valuable, premium products that can be found on store shelves. Since Uzbekistan has people who are not content with the status quo and who have ambitions, they should be integrated into a society that produces valuable products, not a society based on cheap labor. Because the country doesn’t have unlimited water and energy resources for the textile business, it’s rational to have a more valuable, environmentally friendly production system. Of course, this will be achieved over time. We see this in the efforts being made in Uzbekistan.
– What is the global situation and trend in this sector?
– Textile production is mainly concentrated in regions with high population density and excessive or inefficient water usage. In these parts of the world, unfortunately, neither nature nor people are prioritized. Europe still leads in textile production, maintaining a trend of high-tech manufacturing of truly valuable products and goods in its countries. This preserves the environment and ensures adequate income for workers. In my humble opinion, Uzbekistan should become a global producer of raw materials for cotton products and strive to capture its share of the global market with high value-added products.
– What are your suggestions for improving the business environment in Uzbekistan?
– The biggest obstacle to successful business is the lack of qualified personnel. We have an important task in this regard: we must view our employees not only as workers, but also as students. We must train them as much as possible, because it’s like a snowball – it will gradually grow, and we will overcome these problems. Developing a specialist is not easy. Instead of complaining about the situation, we need to train personnel. Some may leave us, but as the number of trained specialists increases, a cycle will close, circulation will begin, and we will encounter people with sufficient experience and professional ethics.
Companies with more than 30 employees should conduct business-related training courses for 2 hours per week. Employees attending these courses should receive financial compensation from the company, and the state should not levy taxes on these bonuses.
It is also necessary to: create industrial zones that combine industrial enterprises and small workshops; prevent mass migration of rural residents to cities by creating jobs in rural areas; facilitate intercity transportation; build industrial sites outside of cities (in rural areas). Micro-living zones should be created between large cities, and their surroundings should be surrounded by agricultural production areas. Villages should become popular among the population and attractive places to live.
– Thank you for the interview!
06/08/2025 
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