Koç was speaking at a meeting with authorized dealers of the group’s durable goods maker Arçelik to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the company. Evaluating the effects of the crisis on Turkey, Koç stated that it had taken less of a toll on the Turkish economy compared to continental Europe, the UK and the US. The aftereffects of the crisis are diminishing day by day, Koç said, warning, however, that the current period is no easier than the past two years have been.
“The recent crisis showed us that global economic balances should be analyzed very thoroughly, which will be to the advantage of Turkey,” he said, adding that Koç Holding had withstood the recession by taking serious measures, such as cutting loans and spending, and thanks to their careful monitoring of global developments.
Speaking at the meeting, Arçelik General Manager Levent Çakıroğlu noted that the company continued to expand its market share last year despite economic difficulties in global markets. He stressed that Arçelik was the company that had increased its market share in Western Europe the most. It had finished 2009 with a consolidated profit of nearly $6.6 billion, while 52 percent of turnover came from its operations in overseas markets, he said.
