Adıyaman eyes to revitalize both industry and tourism

The devastating twin earthquakes in early February last year affected not only buildings but also the economy of southern Türkiye.

Before the earthquakes, Adıyaman's economy was based on two main pillars: Agriculture and livestock, and textile factories, which accounted for almost 90 percent of the city's industry. Food, construction and building materials were also produced.

However, after the tremors, the city began to experience significant problems in terms of jobs and manpower. Mehmet Torunoğlu, the chairman of the Adıyaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that one of the main problems of the city's economy after the earthquake was the lack of people to work in the factories.

"Before the earthquake, Adıyaman was a city that was about to come out of its shell," he said.

"It had overcome most of its serious problems. The earthquake took us back to 1954 [the year Adıyaman was separated from Malatya and declared a province]. Many people in the city are now working on the construction of new buildings. The Community Benefit Programs [TYP], which used to provide temporary jobs for the unemployed, now employ nearly 10,000 people. Unfortunately, the labor needed for production has shifted to these areas. There are orders in industry today, but companies cannot increase their capacity because they cannot find people to work."

Torunoğlu said serious support from the state is essential for Adıyaman to get back on its feet, otherwise, it could take 20 years for the city to return to the situation before Feb. 6, 2023.

"After the earthquake, insurance premiums were postponed and 400,000 Turkish Liras in interest-free loans were distributed to businesses by KOSGEB [Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization]," he...