Ergün, speaking late Thursday at the award ceremony of the Anatolian Brands 2009 competition, noted that the first Turkish passenger automobile, the Anadol, which was launched in 1966 and discontinued in 1986, was unsuccessful in achieving global recognition despite its potential. However, he added, now is the time to develop Anatolian cities further to make each of them internationally known. Firms operating in Anatolian cities are also now aware of the importance of targeted promotion and global recognition, the minister said, stressing that “Turkey has to create world-renowned brands in order to increase its share in global markets and to become an important player in the global arena.”
Ergün said no Turkish firms had managed to find a place on the list of Brand Finance 500, which is prepared annually by independent brand-valuation consultancy Brand Finance, unlike other developing countries like Turkey. “China has 18 brands on the list, Brazil has seven and India has four, while we do not have one brand despite the huge potential of the country. We should analyze this situation. We should place special emphasis on branding, design and innovation in the coming period,” said Ergün.
