Having established in 1988, Exim delivers end-to-end security solutions, designed to add value through fast, effective decision-making

 Exim’s General Manager Burcu Balkış answered our questions on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8. Balkış highlighted that empowering women is not only a matter of equality, but also a strategic necessity that enhances companies’ innovation capacity, strengthens competitiveness, and supports sustainable growth.

Could you briefly introduce yourself? How did you step into the security technology sector?

After graduating in Chemistry from Yıldız Technical University, I completed my MBA at Bahçeşehir University to gain a more holistic perspective on business. Throughout my career, I have taken on various responsibilities in product management, marketing strategies, and international sales. I joined Exim in 2014 and, after a journey from sales and marketing management to business unit leadership and directorship roles, I have been serving as General Manager since 2021.

Exim operates under the umbrella of Hitay Holding and has more than 37 years of experience in delivering global solutions in security technologies. From introducing barcode applications to Türkiye, the company has evolved into a global player ranked among the top three worldwide in the production of ID cards and secure documents. We export to more than 60 countries and operate in a highly specialized, technology-driven field. Being part of this transformation and witnessing the company’s growth journey from within has been truly valuable for me.

Have you faced obstacles in your career as a woman? How did you overcome them?

Being a female executive in the security technology sector often requires greater preparation, a clearer stance, and stronger determination. In some environments, you may feel the need to prove yourself more. However, I have always chosen to focus not on obstacles, but on competence and delivering results.

The challenges I encountered made me a more disciplined and resilient individual. At the same time, the presence of an inclusive corporate culture transforms this process from an individual struggle into a systematic support mechanism. In this respect, I believe Hitay Holding’s commitment to equal opportunity has made a meaningful contribution.

In 2024, I received my 10th-year service award from our Chairman, Emin Hitay. Taking on such responsibility at a relatively young age within a well-established yet innovative structure like Hitay Holding was both a strong sign of trust and a significant responsibility. The security technology sector is still largely male-dominated. For women to take on senior roles, individual effort alone is not enough; there must also be genuine space and trust from decision-makers. Cause when women step into leadership, they create space for others to follow.In this sense, I had an important opportunity.

Emin Hitay, Chairman of Hitay Holding, is delivering the 10th Year Service Award to Burcu Balkış

Have you achieved the goals you set for yourself in your professional life?

From the outset, my goal was to strengthen Exim’s global position while preserving its technology focus. I prioritized building a structure based on trust, long-term partnerships, and world-class production standards.

Today, we export to more than 60 countries and rank among the top three globally in our field. However, I do not see success as a destination but as an ongoing responsibility . Our main objective is to grow sustainably, strengthen innovation, and continuously build on our achievements year after year.

Do you think women’s representation in the security technology sector in Türkiye is sufficient?

Unfortunately, not yet. Globally, women make up only about one-third of the technology workforce, and the ratio is even lower in leadership roles. A similar picture exists in Türkiye.

Yet women are the key to sustainable growth in security technology. Diverse perspectives enhance innovation, strengthen decision-making processes, and make companies more competitive. I believe it is essential not only to increase women’s participation in the workforce but also to ensure stronger representation in decision-making mechanisms.

What initiatives have you implemented to support women’s employment and leadership within your company?

At Exim, having a female employee ratio exceeding 50 percent is no coincidence. This approach reflects Hitay Holding’s long-standing vision of equal opportunity. We operate with merit-based evaluation systems, inclusive recruitment policies, and a management approach that encourages diverse perspectives. We care deeply about women being strongly represented not only in employment but also in leadership roles, and we ensure this is an integral part of our corporate culture.

Hitay Holding’s competency-based, measurable, and fair performance systems form the foundation of this structure. The active involvement of women leaders in strategic decisions, along with the encouragement of diversity of thought and collective intelligence, is critical for us. In resource allocation and investment decisions, gender is never the determining factor, project value and added value are. This approach enables women leaders to move beyond representation and create real impact.

What message would you like to share with women on the occasion of International Women’s Day?

When women are truly given space and trusted, not only individuals but also institutions and entire industries grow stronger. My most important advice to young women is to be courageous, invest in themselves, and trust their competencies.

Equal opportunity is a powerful value that we must collectively uphold for a sustainable future. A technology world where women are more visible, stronger, and more active in decision-making is possible, and we can build it together.

Opening image: Burcu Balkış, General Manager at Exim