About Us
In 2010, The Center for Development of Relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIGMEV) was established with the contributions of Muzaffer Çilek to improve and develop the existing economic and cultural relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey within the framework of friendship.
BIGMEV acts with the mission of transforming the opportunities of both countries into commercial and strategic cooperation with a win-win approach.
Our Foundation; With its experienced employees who know both nations closely and follow the economic developments, it Provides consultancy and regulatory services on identification and effective use of potential in countries. Also, it supports sister city projects.
BIGMEV continues working to increase the inflow of foreign direct investment into Bosnia and Herzegovina, to provide job opportunities and to contribute to the results of efforts to expand mutual trade.
We firmly believe that our historical ties will be strengthened and transferred to the future with the development of economic, social and cultural relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey.
About the Founder
Muzaffer Çilek, whose origins from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sikirić and Šiljak families), was born in İnegöl in 1960. He has completed his education in Bursa.
Since 1984, he has worked as the General Manager of the companies he founded in the furniture industry.
In 1996, he founded Çilek, a well-known and specialized brand locally and internationally in children's furniture.
In 2009, Çilek Foundation was established to support children on the hunger line with the food banking system.
In 2010, he founded the BIGMEV Foundation - Center for the Development of Relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In 2019, he acquired the well-known German furniture brand "CS Schmalmöbel 1986 Germany"
He has invested in the energy sector, construction sector, tourism, and the furniture sector in the United States, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Muzaffer Çilek is the President of the Management Board and the CEO of Çilek Holding, under which the member companies operate.
He is the Chairman of the Board of F-TR Furniture Partners (Foreign Trade Furniture Inc.).
He is the founder and board member of the Alija Izetbegovic Foundation.
He is the Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Turkey.
With the decree of April 01, 2015, he served as an official advisor to Bakir Izetbegovic, a Member of the Presidential Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He is the President of the Business Council between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey (DEİK).
He is a Board Member of the Tabiat Equestrian Club.
He speaks English and Bosnian languages.
He is married and has one child.
