City branding key to expanding economic influence, says Anadolu CEO

Anadolu CEO Serdar Karagöz said Tuesday that contributing to the strengthening of city brands is an important responsibility for the global news agency. Speaking at the City Economies Summit in Gaziantep, he noted that the world is in a period when historical trade routes are reviving, cities are competing as strongly as countries, and strong communication strategies make urban values more visible. “Anadolu sees contributing to the strengthening of city brands as an important responsibility,” he said, adding that the agency works to expand cities’ spheres of influence by conveying their economic potential, production power, and investment opportunities to domestic and international audiences.

Gaziantep‑Aleppo axis

The summit focused on renewed economic ties between Türkiye and Syria and opportunities for regional development. Karagöz stressed that both Gaziantep and Aleppo are experiencing a significant moment, and reviving Syria’s production capacity and industrial infrastructure is important for regional stability. Special‑status production zones between Gaziantep and Aleppo could transform the border economy into a more integrated structure. The region’s proximity to Mediterranean ports and existing railway connections could facilitate integration into global trade, making the Gaziantep‑Aleppo line a strategic point for production and distribution networks.

Anadolu’s global role

Karagöz said Anadolu broadcasts in 14 languages, operates offices in 36 locations, and has correspondent networks across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. The agency works with nearly 700 major brands and will now begin communicating the success stories of Syrian companies to the world. “Gaziantep and Aleppo should be seen not only as two cities brought together by history, culture, and trade routes, but also as two regional power centres that will shape the future together,” he said.