Doğan Holding Lays the Stones of a Brighter Future in Gümüşhane

On July 27, 2002, Doğan Holding signed three pivotal projects in Gümüşhane and in Kelkit, an administrative district within Gümüşhane, harbingering a future bright with promise for the region.

The projects are envisaged to play a crucial role in the sociocultural and economic development of the region. The first project in line is the Kelkit Aydın Doğan Vocational School. Once completed, the school will offer educational programs based on local demand, primarily in the field of organic agriculture and stockbreeding. Among those who spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony were Chairman of Doğan Holding Aydın Doğan, Rector of Atatürk University Prof. Yaşar Sütbeyaz, Mayor of Kelkit, Governor of Gümüşhane, State Minister of Education Necdet Tekin and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahçeli.

Boasting a 500-student capacity, Kelkit Aydın Doğan Vocational School will be the first school in Turkey to offer a curricular program in organic agriculture. The school will be academically affiliated with Atatürk University.

A second groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kelkit, this time for the Organic Livestock Breeding Facility in Kelkit by Doğan Holding. At the ceremony it is said that the Facility constitutes the largest integrated rural development project in Turkey and that once launched it will yield a 10% increase in the nationwide output in organic agriculture. Based on a contract-based production model, the project will procure significant revenues for the majority of the local dwellers, thus playing a cardinal role in slowing down migration from the region. The official inauguration of the $20 million investment will be held in September, 2003. The Facility will comprise a 500-acre outdoor and 122,000 square meter indoor space. State Minister of Agriculture Hüsnü Yusuf Gökalp and Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Devlet Bahçeli also addressed the audiences during the groundbreaking ceremony.

The third project launched by the Aydın Doğan Foundation on July 27 was the Gümüşhane Aydın Doğan Sports Center. During the ceremony, along with Aydın Doğan, the Mayor of Gümüşhane, the Governor, State Minister of the Sports Mr. Fikret Ünlü and Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Devlet Bahçeli addressed the public. Located in downtown Gümüşhane, the Center will blaze the trail for a healthier life style for local youth and lead up to the city's participation in and contribution to sports, a rising star in Turkey. Aydın Doğan Sports Center will comprise facilities geared for eleven sports branches including basketball, tae kwon do, tennis and gymnastics.

Next