Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The opportunities and obligations brought on by the No. 6102 Turkish Trade Law were introduced as part of the “The New Turkish Trade Law Introduction and Information Meeting” held in Rize with the attendances of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Customs and Commerce Minister Hayati Yazıcı, Environment and Urbanism Minister Erdoğan Bayraktar, Transportation, Maritime and Communication Minister Binali Yıldırım and TÜRMOB President Nail Sanlı.

Speaking at the start of the meeting, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that there is no segregation between traders, industrialists and financial consultants.

Stating that they have come together with TÜRMOB, in order to discuss complaints regarding the new Turkish Trade Law, pioneered by the Customs and Commerce Ministry, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke, “We are discussing this revolutionary law all over Turkey. The previous TTK was implemented in 1950. This law is 1535 clauses long. This law would take a year and a half to review at the National Assembly just by itself. Add to that code of obligations and the time goes up to 3 years.

We’ve always said that we don’t want money from politicians. Just make the conditions for us the same as our competitors. Unfortunately it’s not possible in the way the National Assembly’s work load. We made a request while visiting political parties. All three parties were partial to the suggestion and laws which would have taken 3 years to pass were passed in 3.5 days. They say that there is grace and prosperity in unity, we see just what that is when we come together.”

- There are some reservations

Stating that they have relayed reservations regarding some clauses to the ministers, the TOBB President said, “We were told these would be amended at the General Assembly. Unfortunately this law was passed just before the National Assembly went on break. We held meetings in 7 regions for this law but our businessmen did not attend these meetings. Financial consultants attended them. Only when columnists mentioned that there are prison sentences in the new law did businessmen started paying attention. This law changes all procedure and principles. Therefore you must personally read up on this law and learn it. We summarized the law on our website, which unfortunately has been ignored for the most part. Please download and read the summary tonight instead of watching TV. You are the ones that will have to implement it. If you want any changes made to it, now is the time to state it. We are making the rounds to announce that the old rules will change. We’ve also put which penalties correspond with which acts on our website. The TTKMetre is up and running so that you can gauge your level of readiness for the new law. Please review the material carefully. It will be too late when these are implemented.

We have removed the prison sentence from the clauses regarding checks. We have stated that the punishment for financial crimes should be financial. If the punishment for financial crimes is financial then why is there a prison sentence in the TTK? The punishment for this should also be converted into a monetary fine.”
Stating that the goal for 2023 as Turkey is to be one of the top 10 economies of the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This won’t happen with a 1950s model car. We are the world champion as of the first 9 months of 2011. We have provided employment to 1 million people in 2011. That is why we need structural reforms such as these. We will become one of the top 10 economies with these structural reforms. We will all be richer. The next generation will make us number 1.”

- The railroad should go all the way to Georgia

Also touching on the problems of the region, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Rize is almost like a Prime Minister factory. Stating that there can be no trade without roads, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “There can be no trade without infrastructure, no prosperity without trade. If you want to prosper, clear the way for trade.” Relaying the requests and problems of the region to the ministers attending the meeting, Hisarcıklıoğlu was applauded greatly when he requested that the railroad which comes as far as Samsun should stretch all the way to Georgia.

Stating that 5 million people pass through the Sarp Border Gate, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that, now, as many people as those using the Kapıkule Gate are using Sarp.
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