Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Stating that the Investment Advisory Council had been established in October of the last year, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they have initiated a very prosperous enterprise for TRNC.

Stating that everything that bother Cyprus Turks bothers them as well, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the positive atmosphere he has observed during his visit is gratifying.

Emphasizing that the will put forth by the Investment Advisory Council is of great importance, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, “Today, when the critical position the world is in is taken into account, we must recognize that no country can have the luxury of a closed and protected economy.

Creating a shared future vision and rendering cooperation perpetual are more important than ever before. Therefore, even though Cyprus suffers from isolation, we should know that TRNC can open up to the world with free trade and international investments.

Furthermore, we must seek out more ways and do our part in creating them as soon as possible.”

- “The Cyprus Turks have the chance of learning from our mistakes”

Stating that the solution to all social and political issues bothering Cyprus Turks is through ensuring a trade and investment atmosphere which will please everyone on the island, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the value of the Investment Advisory Council becomes apparent in this instance. With the will put forth by the Investment Advisory Council, and it should be shown that TRNC lacks nothing that developed countries of the world have.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that they have seen all the harmful outcomes of an economic crisis in 2001, said, “With this, we learned to create opportunities from crisis. I will say that it was not easy at all. Due to the nature of the process we experienced many difficulties and much tension. But we emerged stronger from the crisis.

Now, I can see the same capacity for coming together in Northern Cyprus. Turkey’s 2001 experience contains important lessons for Northern Cyprus to reach an economy that can stand on its own. Cyprus Turks have the opportunity of learning from our mistakes and emulating our successes.”

- “Cyprus Turks should not lose their self-confidence”

Stating that the time to establish the TRNC Investment Environment Improvement Coordination Council (YOİKK), Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is possible to establish this council with a view to the experiences and progress of Turkey. We have found that the best way to implement a comprehensive reform program is through institutionalization via a YOİKK.

What is needed is to be able to handle the required reform agenda in a rational structure like YOİKK. YOİKK brings together the shareholders of the investment environment, the investor and the state. Problems are laid out and solutions found.

You should know that there is an enormous potential in our people. As an educated, world savvy, multilingual people who value their freedom and will fight for it, it is paramount that Cyprus Turks do not lose their self-confidence. Turn the pride you feel in your past into hope for the future.”

- “TRNC can integrate into the globalization process”

Stating that there is much to be done in the island, TOBB President said, “Don’t forget that you have certain advantages in some sectors and areas over Turkey. The problems in political recognition can never hold you back from being recognized by the world for economic development. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) can very well integrate with the globalization process and build stronger bridges with the world despite various crises in the world.

Running away from adapting to the world, to become introverted, to shy away from the wind and not harness its power is a society imprisoning itself,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “We feared that the Customs Union would destroy industry in Turkey. In those days we stood against those who said our industry wouldn’t be able to handle it. It was Turkey who won. We spread our industry country-wide. Turkey has become the largest production base between Italy and China.

Creating stronger bonds between Turkey and TRNC will benefit the integration of Cyprus Turks with the world. We are working to establish a similar structure for Cyprus to the Joint Advisory Committee which has been working between the EU and Turkey since 1995. We have benefited greatly from the Joint Advisory Committee in bringing together the many different social and economic parts of the Turkish society and continue to do so.

We are working to create a similar structure to bring together all sides representing organized civil society of Turkey and TRNC. This structure will play an important role in providing a negotiation ground for the application of an economic reform program in Northern Cyprus.”

- “Everyone wants change”

Stating their observation during the joint meeting in April that every part of society are of the opinion that an economic reform in North Cyprus is needed, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Everybody wants change. Wanting change is the most important step of overcoming disagreements and reaching consensus. TRNC has reached this step.

It is now time to institutionalize this desire for reform. The Investment Advisory Council and YOİKK are the best instruments for directing this process unilaterally. If this path is followed, we can expect the 2013-2015 protocol to be accepted in high consensus.”

- “We must work to make Northern Cyprus richer”

Stating that Cyprus Turks are faced with heavy and unfair isolation Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The will put forth in April 24th of 2004 to bring resolution to the problem in the island is virtually being punished. We believe that Cyprus Turks will survive by developing their economic power. For this, we must work together to make Northern Cyrpus richer. We must remove the obstructions to investing so as to allow for more investments.”

- Prime Minister Deputy Beşir Atalay

Prime Minister Deputy Beşir Atalay stated that they support the removal of obstructions to investment and trade, saying that the point reached in Turkey has been achieved by the public, private sector and social parts (syndicates) trusting each other implicitly.

Pointing out the importance of improving competitive power, Atalay said, “Turkey-TRNC are standing proudly. TRNC must become a higher added-value and investor-friendly country.”

- Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız

The Energyand Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız stated that the first land drilling in TRNC will be performed in Gazimağosa. Yıldız said, “I estimate that work should be done in two months and we will have started drilling.”

- TRNC President Derviş Eroğlu

TRNC President Derviş Eroğlu stated that today, with important occasions in energy and investment happening, is an important day for TRNC.

President Eroğlu pointed out that TRNC is subject to embargos and isolation but despite all the negativity economic progress should stop and the experiences of the Motherland should be benefited from.

Eroğlu said, “It is imperative that we implement the economic program. Despite opposition, this program will benefit the country and should be implemented after all options for dialogue have been exhausted.”

- TRNC Prime Minister İrsen Küçük

TRNC Prime Minister İrsen Küçük, starting his speech, expressed his wish that the annual meeting will be successful and beneficial to the business world.

Küçük stated that reform work in public administration is underway and that EU conformation laws for the betterment of the legislature is almost complete.

 Prime Minister Küçük stated that it is very fortunate that Motherland Turkey wishes to convey their experiences of success when the world is going through many economic crises and presented his thanks.
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