İsmail Karagöz, President of the Konya Goldsmiths and Jewelers Association, was the guest of Genç Kalemler's interview day. Karagöz emphasised that their aim is to uphold the reputation of the profession.
Explaining that he has worked in every branch of the profession he entered as an apprentice in 1987, including manufacturing, marketing and counter sales, Karagöz said that he is now the owner of the shop he joined as an apprentice.
Noting that the association had 266 members at the time, Karagöz stated that their goal was to raise the number of members to 500 by also bringing in colleagues who have served the profession for years but have not been able to open a shop. "For the first time in the association's 30-year history, we are setting out with such a young team," Karagöz said.
Karagöz reported that they had met with the Metropolitan Mayor and the Governor about the bazaar's problems, and said that MOBESE surveillance cameras and the parking problem for Tevfikiye Caddesi and the Bedesten Bazaar were on their agenda.
Pointing out that gold dealers work with low profit margins, Karagöz said that his colleagues are going through a difficult period due to high rents and shop-window costs.
