'President Erdogan paved way for women in business'

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey’s president paved the way for Turkish women to make their mark in business, according to Laura Gok, a successful businesswoman and head of the Bangladesh Business Council of Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).

"Turkish businesswomen were promoted thanks to President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan," Gok told Anadolu Agency.

Gok, the founder and CEO of Istanbul-based chemical firm Resas Chemie, also said first lady Emine Erdogan has had a big influence on women in business.

Women will rise to further business prominence in the years to come, she added.

Turkish women who succeed in business can achieve everything with courage and self-reliance, she stressed, adding: "Men should trust their wives and support them in every area, including business."

Her advice to aspiring businesswoman is that they should start with an idea and make a roadmap for a successful business.

Turkey’s Trade Ministry and commercial attaches help Turkish businesspeople in foreign countries and investors should take advantage of this help, she said.

After starting in 2014, Gok’s company last year reached a turnover of 50 million Turkish liras ($9.4 million).

For the last 3 years, it has been breaking export records from Turkey to Bangladesh, the second-biggest textile-producing country in the world.

Gok added that she is also preparing to make and export frozen foods, snacks, and hazelnut spread to Gulf countries under her new brand Laura's Food Line.

Gok hopes to reach $100 million in turnover within five years, she said.