BASIC STRUCTURE OF DEVREK ECONOMY
Devrek district, which is the last point of Zonguldak province on the direction of Ankara, has been one of the important trade centers from past to present. The district is 55 km away from the centre of Zonguldak, 219 km from Ankara and 366 kilometers from Istanbul. Besides, Devrek is on the main transit route of the prospective Filyos Port and Mega Industrial Zone Project, which is expected to be the second largest port and one of the largest industrial zones in our country. Devrek is only 50 km away from the project area. The district population is 56.558 and half of the population lives in the city centre. Devrek is the 4th largest district of the Zonguldak province in terms of population.
Devrek Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is located in Devrek district, is the roof organization of the business environment in Devrek and neighbouring Gökçebey district. According to the Chamber records, there are 1100 active members and the first sector in the field of activity is the trade sector. According to the records of the Social Security Institution, there are 1358 official and private workplace registrations, 335 of which are in Gökçebey. The same records show that the number of registered employees is 8868 and it is 12% of the total two district population.
Devrek and Gökçebey business environment also includes firms that produce in different sectors in terms of manufacturing industry. The sectors that stand out on the basis of the firms to be evaluated on medium and large scale in the manufacturing industry are;
Other Non-Metallic Mineral Production, Wood and Wood Products Production, Rubber and Plastic Products Manufacturing, Furniture Manufacturing, Food Products Manufacturing, Fabrication of Metal Products and Clothing Products Manufacturing.
Wood and wood products are one of the main sectors that come to the forefront in these sectors and are identified with the district throughout the country and the region. There are a large number of firms in the region that convert timber into semi-finished and finished products. There is also an important infrastructure in the production of other non-metallic mineral products, which is also one of the basic sectors. Large-scale companies that produce ceramic, bathroom and marble-based products provide significant business and employment volumes in the region. In terms of plastic rubber, there are also important firms producing goods for overseas. The firms engaged in manufacturing clothing and textile products in the region mostly make contract manufacturing and have been trying to cooperate with major brands in recent years. There are important firms that export or carry out works to export in the region. Çanakçılar Seramik, Cilas Kauçuk, Devrek Mermer, Ayanoğlu Salyangoz and Başoğlu Kereste, each of which is a success story and brand names in their sectors, are among the first to come to mind.
Although Devrek has important industrial firms listed above, one of the main characteristics of the district is the fact that it has become a brand name with its world famous handicraft: Devrek Walking Sticks. Devrek Walking Sticks are made of dogwood by the important craftsmen in terms of traditional handicrafts in the district and sold in our country and in many places of the world through intermediaries and expositions. Additionally, regional culinary values such as Turkish bagels, walnut pastry and white baklava have become brand values in recent years.
Devrek Chamber of Commerce and Industry is in the position of a roof organization that is trying to provide fast and high qulity service to the firms operating in Devrek and Gökçebey districts. Devrek Chamber of Commerce and Industry, whose main purpose is to produce policies for the development of the district economy, is making an intensive effort for the Organized Industrial Zone to be built on the borders of Devrek and Gökçebey districts. Devrek Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which plans to become an important centre in this area, provides full support in all areas to all investors who want to invest.