About Our Chamber

One common feature of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the world is that they come together within a national, central umbrella organization. Its example in our country is the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye.

In Ottoman society, the idea of the Chamber came onto the agenda together with the westernisation movements. The Reform Edict of 1856, which contained a series of reforms and innovations, revealed the need for merchants to organise by establishing chambers. In accordance with the Edict, regulations were published and Chambers began to be established.

When the old records in our Chamber are examined, it is seen that the founding of the Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry dates back to very early years. The yearbooks (salname) of the period show that in Harput, which was an important centre of trade in the 19th century and until the beginning of the 20th century, there were nearly 850 shops and stores in various lines of business during these periods.

This period of Harput is assessed in the Book of the 1st Elazığ Economic Congress as follows: “When examining Elazığ's industry in the period before the Republic, it is necessary to look at the industrial situation of Harput. Until the end of the XIXth century and even at the beginning of the XXth century, Harput, in addition to being an important centre of trade, had a structure in industry organised in the form of various professional organizations operating in every class. It is known for its large trade inns, nearly 850 stores and shops, active trade caravans and tradespeople of good moral character.

Pursuant to Law No. 655, with the letter of the Elazığ Provincial Authority dated 19 September 1336 and numbered 4418/366, the first Chamber elections were held on 10 March 1926, Hacı Saitzade Sait Efendi was elected President, and, as can be understood from the Chamber seal of the period, the official founding of the Chamber took place under the name “Elaziz Chamber of Commerce and Industry”.

The Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which shaped commercial life in Harput and later acquired an official identity in the Elazığ city centre, has continued its activities to this day without interruption in its service.

In this period, activities related to the textile and clothing industry and the manufacture of handicraft industry goods stand out. In almost every house there were spinning wheels suitable for making cotton yarn and, again in every house, hand looms called weaving pits. On the other hand, there were 30-35 workshops engaged in tanning (tradesmen who tan hides to make leather, morocco, sole leather, etc.), and some of their products were exported.” it is stated.

It is stated that this rich commercial accumulation in Harput was also reflected in the organisation of tradespeople and that the Harput Chamber of Commerce continued its activities during this period.

Our Chamber's records show that in Elazığ, which began to grow steadily as a new settlement towards the end of the 18th century, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established on 19 September 1920 and that its Presidency was held by Şedele Fehmi Efendi until 10 March 1926.

After the name Elaziz was changed to Elazığ following Atatürk's visit to Elazığ in 1937, the name of the Chamber was also changed to “Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry”.

In line with the orders of the High Ministry of Trade dated 28 October 1948 and numbered 9290, upon its request to establish an Agency of the Chamber in each of the Maden and Palu Districts, which had commercial potential, the Chamber Board of Directors established Chamber Agencies in the two said districts by its decision dated 15 November 1948 and numbered 20.

Following the enactment on 21 October 1951 of Law No. 5590 setting out the work and duties of the Chambers, in line with the provisions of the relevant law, pursuant to the orders of the High Ministry of Trade dated 24 December 1952 and numbered 4/14320 and based on the letter of the Provincial Authority dated 3 January 1953 and numbered 2, the Chamber Board of Directors, by its decision dated 6 March 1953 and numbered 4, suspended the activities of its Agencies in Maden and Palu indefinitely as of that date.