İsmail Gülle’s New Strategy for TİM Presidency: Service Exporters’ Association

Activity Increases Ahead of TİM Elections Activity is increasing in the corridors of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
While current president Mustafa Gültepe remains the only declared candidate so far, İsmail Gülle, who served as president between 2018 and 2022, has entered a new phase of preparations for his candidacy.
Carpet Sector Plan Blocked by Judiciary İsmail Gülle’s previous plan to run through the carpet sector hit legal hurdles.
In January 2025, Gülle acquired a 1% stake and signature authority in the Southeast Anatolia-based Otto Tekstil.
However, a subsequent regulatory change complicated his path.
A new regulation published in the Official Gazette increased the required duration of signature authority to represent a company from one year to two years.
After a court rejected the lawsuit filed to annul this regulation, the path to candidacy through the carpet sector was effectively closed.
New Strategy: Service Exporters’ Association Following the failed attempt in the carpet industry, Gülle is reportedly building a new strategy through the Service Exporters’ Association (HİB).
By aiming for a seat on the board of directors through Gülle Turizm Otelcilik, he intends to establish the necessary legal ground for his TİM presidency bid.
Candidacy requirements for service exports differ from those for goods exports.
While board membership in goods exporters’ associations requires a minimum of $2 million in exports over the last two calendar years, this threshold is set at $1 million for service exports.
Uncertainty Continues at HİB The election process at the Service Exporters’ Association remains unclear.
The term of Turkish Airlines, which currently represents the presidency, is ending, and no official candidate has emerged yet.
According to regulations, to run for the TİM presidency, a candidate must serve on the board of an exporters’ association and go through the sectoral council process.
Whether Gülle can complete this chain through HİB will become clear with the upcoming export figures.