17.09.2025 23:41
The President of the Entrepreneurs Businessmen Foundation, Mehmet Koç, sparked controversy with his remarks during a live broadcast. Koç stated, "No one who works and contributes in Turkey lives below the poverty line. This is not accurate information. When you go to the U.S. to get dental work done, you can't get an appointment for two months and you end up spending $10,000. In Turkey, you can get your dental work done in two days at a public hospital."
The President of the Entrepreneur Businessmen Foundation, Mehmet Koç, made headlines with his statements during a live broadcast. Koç claimed that no one in Turkey lives below the poverty line, using expressions that sparked public debate.
"NO ONE LIVES BELOW THE POVERTY LINE"
In his speech during the program, Koç stated: "No one who works and contributes in Turkey lives below the poverty line. This is not accurate information."
These remarks were met with public backlash, especially during a time when economic difficulties are being heavily discussed.
"IN TURKEY, YOU CAN GET YOUR TOOTH FIXED IN A PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN 2 DAYS"
Mehmet Koç also compared Turkey and the USA in terms of healthcare services. Highlighting the difficulties of accessing the healthcare system in the USA, he said: "When you go to the USA to get your tooth fixed, you can't get an appointment for 2 months and you end up spending 10 thousand dollars. In Turkey, you can get your tooth fixed in a public hospital in 2 days."
WHO IS MEHMET KOÇ?
Originally from Bayburt, Mehmet Koç graduated from Istanbul Technical University with a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering in 1994. Since 1998, he has been involved in the establishment of more than forty companies. He participated in an MBA program at Bradford University during the 2002-2003 period, academically supporting his entrepreneurship. In 2010, he was nominated as a candidate for the presidency of the Young Businessmen Foundation and began his term.
Koç facilitated the renaming of the foundation, established in 1996, to the Entrepreneur Businessmen Foundation in line with this idea, and enabled various collaborations with KOSGEB and universities. He established the Entrepreneurship Academy within the foundation and has been a pioneer in providing the necessary information for nearly ten thousand entrepreneurs to establish their own companies, thus contributing new entrepreneurs to the country.
Starting his work in the Turkish-Saudi Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in 2008, Koç brought the Entrepreneur Businessmen Foundation into the Council as a founding member of DEIK. He currently serves as a member of the DEIK Audit Board and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Negmar Maritime Investment Inc. Married with three children, Koç speaks English well and is interested in motor yachts.