South Aegean Development Agency (GEKA)

The South Aegean Development Agency (GEKA) was established in 2009 and operates in the South Aegean Region, which comprises the provinces of Aydın, Denizli, and Muğla. With a mission to mobilize local potential, the agency carries out its activities within a framework of transparency, innovation, equality, and efficiency to contribute to regional development.

At the national level, the coordination of development agencies is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. The organizational structure of GEKA consists of the Board of Directors, the General Secretariat, and affiliated units. The Board of Directors, the agency's decision-making body, includes the governors of the provinces within the region, the mayors of the provincial capitals, and the presidents of the chambers of commerce and industry. In accordance with relevant regulations, the chairmanship of the Board of Directors rotates among the governors of Denizli, Aydın, and Muğla, starting with Denizli. The General Secretariat, which serves as the agency’s executive body, is currently led by Ümit GÜLYAĞI.

Guided by its mission to produce high-quality knowledge in the region, GEKA continues its activities as a key institution in regional development through its support programs, investment initiatives, and planning and analysis efforts. The agency designs and manages support programs tailored to regional needs in alignment with the development axes outlined in its regional plan, with the aim of enhancing the region’s competitiveness.

Additionally, GEKA’s activities include:

Strengthening cooperation among public institutions, the private sector, and NGOs in the region,

Promoting business and investment opportunities at national and international levels to attract investors,

Providing technical information and consultancy services to investors,

Enhancing planning and project development capacity,

Monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on supported projects and activities,

Developing joint projects through collaboration with national and international organizations.

The South Aegean Development Agency conducts its activities in line with its vision:

“A globally recognized tourism hub, a region with a high quality of life, innovation-driven production, and environmental sustainability.”

In this context, GEKA prioritizes the following areas for development:

Expanding tourism diversity and making it sustainable throughout all four seasons,

Transforming production towards high value-added and innovation-driven sectors,

Ensuring environmental sustainability,

Enhancing social development.