Yılmaz, speaking at a press conference on Monday, unveiled the BMD’s 2010 targets. He predicted a $4-5 billion growth in turnover of the member companies of BMD this year, with an anticipated $250 million to be allocated for investments to be made throughout the year. In an assessment of last year’s performance of the association, which gathers 400 brands together, Yılmaz stressed that the BMD’s total earnings were about $24 billion in 2009. Underlining that member firms, employing some 170,000 people, make an important contribution to the Turkish economy, he said, “The BMD has 40,000 stores in Turkey and 1,175 more in 69 countries.”
He explained that the goal in common of BMD members was to turn İstanbul into an important fashion center, an ambition that could be achieved if the necessary support were to be extended. He added that they intend to launch an event named the İstanbul Shopping Fest as quickly as possible.
