Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Attending the Citizen Meeting organized by the Constitution Platform, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcılkıoğlu, the Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek and the Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Negotiation Commission members made observations at the Kapıkule Customs Gate and received information from officials.

Making a statement on location, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that China considers the Xingjian Uyghur Autonomous Region as its new production base in order to change its democratic structure, “The region has a population of approximately 20 million. China wishes to increase that to 120 million by importing 100 million to the region.”

Stating that China plans on investing 500 billion Dollars in the next 10 years, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “A population of 100 million will be moved there. The population of 20 million will be increased to 120 million in order to change the democratic structure. As this is China’s own business, there’s nothing we can do. However the goods produced there will be sold to the world. The distance to Shanghai is 500 kilometers. The distance to market the product via Kazakhstan and Russia is 6500 kilometers. The distance to travel is 5100 kilometers if the goods are moved via Turkey, Kazakhstan Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Black Sea. The south corridor through Iran is 4000 kilometers. This is our goal right now. There is a high chance that we can coax the trade routes to go through Turkey. One route shortens travel distance by 1500 kilometers, while the other shortens it by 1400. This should become state policy just like railroads, natural gas and petroleum; to have trade routes pass through Turkey, bringing prosperity and contributing to its security. We are bringing this matter up at every platform we participate in. This is something we are focused on.”

Afterwards Hisarcıklıoğlu and his retinue were briefed by the Customs and Tourism Enterprises Co. Director General Ömür Gebeş and Thrace Customs and Commerce Regional Director Kaptan Kılıç. Following the speeches TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, TBMM Speaker Çiçek and the accompanying retinue made observations at the shopping center in the customs gate and the TIR inspection zone.
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