President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the Award Ceremony for Contributors to the Economy in Bursa, where he announced important initiatives aimed at strengthening Türkiye's economy and safeguarding employment.Emphasizing the importance of maintaining competitiveness in the apparel, textiles, leather, and furniture sectors, President Erdoğan stated, "These sectors contribute USD 37 billion in annual exports and provide employment for over 1.2 million people. To protect production and jobs, we will launch the Employment Protection Programme (EPP) through the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Development Organisation (KOSGEB) in January 2025."The President explained that Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) that maintain their employment levels in 2024 throughout 2025 will be eligible to receive financial support of up to TRY 2,500 per employee under the new programme.Reflecting on the government's 22-year tenure, President Erdoğan highlighted growth as a central element of their strategy to address challenges. "From the economy to defense, from foreign policy to trade, we have implemented policies designed to foster growth. We do not seek temporary economic gains; our focus is on achieving sustainable, long-term success," he added.Additionally, President Erdoğan pointed to significant economic improvements, including increased international capital inflow, stronger reserves, reduced foreign exchange volatility, and a notable decrease in Türkiye's credit risk premium. "Türkiye is the only country in the world whose credit rating has been upgraded twice by three major agencies," he said, adding, “For the 2025 budget, we have allocated TRY 1.57 trillion for investments, taking both realistic and visionary steps toward the future."The EPP is part of Türkiye's broader efforts to reinforce its economic foundation and ensure growth in key industries, reflecting the government's commitment to supporting both businesses and workers.