Turkish Flag Raised in Portsmouth

Turkish Flag Raised in Portsmouth, England, as GİSİAD Officially Opens Its Hampshire Branch

A Turkish flag-raising ceremony in Portsmouth, attended by the city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Abdul Kadir, served as a meaningful symbol of the historic ties, friendship and intercultural solidarity between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

The Association of Business and Intellectual Entrepreneurs (GİSİAD) has taken another significant step in its international expansion by officially opening its Hampshire branch.

The launch brought together representatives from the business community, academia, local government and civil society, with messages highlighting international cooperation, investment, entrepreneurship and social solidarity.

Organised under the leadership of GİSİAD Hampshire President Associate Professor Dr Sevinç Garner, with contributions from GİSİAD Headquarters, GİSİAD UK management and the Hampshire team, the event brought together representatives from the business world, academia, local government and civil society from both Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

The opening ceremony, held at the Royal Maritime Hotel in Portsmouth, was attended by GİSİAD National President Remzi Dursunkaya, GİSİAD UK President Murat Bingöl, Portsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Abdul Kadir, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan, a representative of Aysan Mullahasan Altilgan, the TRNC Representative in London, Chris Chang, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, Councillor Chris Atwell, representatives of the City of London and Pamodzi 100 Inspirational Women, the GİSİAD delegation from Istanbul, academics, businesspeople and other distinguished guests.

Remzi Dursunkaya: Hampshire Marks an Important Milestone in GİSİAD’s International Vision

In his opening address, GİSİAD National President Remzi Dursunkaya highlighted the importance of strengthening the association’s international presence and developing economic, commercial and institutional relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

He emphasised that the opening of the Hampshire branch represented an important milestone in GİSİAD’s international growth strategy, underlining the need to establish a strong network through which businesspeople and intellectual entrepreneurs can share their knowledge, experience and professional connections.

He also stressed that GİSİAD aims to develop beyond an organisation focused solely on commercial relationships, becoming a platform that actively supports entrepreneurship, innovation, international partnerships and mutual investment opportunities.

The Hampshire branch is expected to make a significant contribution to establishing new connections between the Turkish and British business communities, developing sustainable commercial partnerships and strengthening economic relations between the two countries.

Associate Professor Dr Sevinç Garner: GİSİAD Hampshire Will Be a Meeting Place Where Everyone Feels They Belong

In her opening speech, GİSİAD Hampshire President Associate Professor Dr Sevinç Garner emphasised that the branch aims to be more than an organisation bringing businesspeople together. Its ambition, she explained, is to create an inclusive platform connecting people from different cultural backgrounds, academia, local authorities and diverse sections of society.

Drawing on her more than 20 years of experience as an academic, researcher and translator, Garner spoke about the challenges faced particularly by migrant women and young people in accessing language education, cultural integration, a sense of belonging, professional development and wider opportunities.

She stated that GİSİAD Hampshire would be open to everyone, regardless of nationality or cultural background. Its aim is to create a welcoming meeting place where women, young people and children can develop their talents, turn their ideas into projects and gain access to new opportunities.

Lord Mayor and Distinguished Guests Highlight Opportunities for Collaboration and Joint Projects

During the opening programme, Portsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Abdul Kadir, University of Portsmouth Deputy Vice-Chancellor Chris Chang, Councillor Chris Atwell and other distinguished guests discussed the importance of developing partnerships between local institutions and GİSİAD Hampshire.

Particular emphasis was placed on the value of universities, local authorities, businesses and civil society organisations working together to develop joint initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, career opportunities for young people, women’s empowerment and community development.

GİSİAD Hampshire aims to build strong relationships with local institutions and make a positive contribution not only to the business community but also to the diverse communities living across Hampshire.

Opening Day Begins with a Visit to the Turkish Naval Cemetery

The day’s programme began in the morning with a visit to the Turkish Naval Cemetery in Gosport.

During the commemorative ceremony held at Clayhall Royal Naval Cemetery, Ottoman sailors who lost their lives in England were remembered with respect and gratitude.

A minute’s silence and a wreath-laying ceremony highlighted the importance of preserving historical and cultural ties.

A Historic Turkish Flag-Raising Ceremony

Following the official opening and General Assembly programme at the Royal Maritime Hotel, a Turkish flag-raising ceremony took place at Guildhall Square in Portsmouth.

Attended by Portsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Abdul Kadir, the ceremony became a powerful symbol of the historic ties, friendship and intercultural solidarity between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

GİSİAD Hampshire Opens the Door to New Business Partnerships

GİSİAD Hampshire aims to strengthen trade and investment relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom, connect businesses and entrepreneurs in Hampshire with international business networks, and develop joint projects with universities and local authorities.

Established under the leadership of GİSİAD National President Remzi Dursunkaya, together with Hampshire President Associate Professor Dr Sevinç Garner and her local team, the new branch intends to pursue sustainable initiatives in cooperation, entrepreneurship, education and social solidarity.

The opening of GİSİAD Hampshire marks a new chapter in the association’s international development and represents an important step towards building stronger and more lasting partnerships between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.