Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the Uşak Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (TSO) Tax and Export Award Ceremony and presented the record holders with their awards. Attending the ceremony in addition to TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu were Uşak TSO Board President Mustafa Kuvvet, Uşak TSO Council President Osman Zeki İşman, businessmen of Uşak and many guests.

- Work on the new Constitution

In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu assessed the work done on the new constitution. Stating that one of the largest obstacles for the Turkish economy will be abolished with the preparation of the new constitution, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the new constitution must be prepared in order for the Turkish economy to reach its 2023 goals.

“With the new constitution, the deed to the state will pass to the people,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “There is no state without the people. The deed must pass to the people. With the new Constitution, the deed to the state will pass to the people. This is important for the Turkish economy’s development. The reconstruction of the system and state is necessary. The four political parties in the parliament have promised the people a new constitution. The parties need to come together and prepare the new constitution. This was promised to us. The reason I say this is because we want to be among the top 10 economies of the world by 2023. We are aiming to export 500 billion Dollars. We want to prosper. What this means is that every Turkish citizen will be 2.5 times richer in 2023. Per capita income will increase from 10,000 Dollars to 25,000 Dollars. We can do this as a nation. Everyone has to do their best.”

- “It doesn’t matter how high quality your goods are if you can’t market them”

Stating that Evliya Çelebi described Uşak the land of lovers and scholars, entrepreneurs and commerce experts, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Which city had the first running electricity? Uşak. Which city showed the first signs of industrialization? Uşak. Where was the first bank office opened? Uşak. Europe’s and Turkey’s best gold mine is in Uşak. I’ve heard that you also hold the treasure of Karun,” and stated that they should not complain they are third in the incentive system.

Stating that there is grace and prosperity in unity, anguish in dissent, the TOBB President said, “Together, you will find grace and prosperity. Denizli, Manisa, Konya, Kayseri and Gaziantep are right beside you. Look at these brand cities of Turkey. The one unifying truth behind the success of these brand cities is that their governors, municipality directors, parliament representatives, civil society organizations and professional organizations all work together.”

Emphasizing the importance of branding, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that chickpeas were given to Çorum by Uşak but that when roasted chickpeas are mentioned, the first name that comes to mind is Çorum. He went on “Allah has granted you riches. You have no right to complain. It doesn’t matter how high quality your goods are unless you can market them. The residents of Uşak should aim to make Uşak a brand city.”

- “The residents of Uşak harbor a great culture of industrialization”

Reminding that Uşak is in the third zone category for the new incentives system, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “When you consider your neighbors Kütahya and Ayfonkarahisar, you are in a bind. You’re better off than Denizli and Aydın and much better off than İzmir.”

Stating that Uşak has a great culture of industry, the TOBB President said, that they should invite capital outside Uşak to invest there, to search door by door if necessary.

Assessing the Uşak economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The increase in exports made from Uşak is above the Turkey average. Exports of Turkey increased by 13% between January and August while Uşak had a 14% increase. Protested bill costs have increased by 33% as of the first months in all of Turkey. There is a general state of distress throughout the country. The good thing is that Uşak stands at half the Turkey average. You have significant money in banks. You have more money than the residents of Kayseri. That money is waiting in the bank. Don’t cry that there’s no money. Just make sure to direct it towards the economy and commerce.”

- “Retail sector requires structural reform”

Stating that the Turkish economy is developing but has ongoing structural problems, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Turkey used to be a country which exported a total of 2.5 billion Dollars only 30 years ago.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey’s exports have reached 150 billion Dollars in 2012 and went on, “Today, Turkey’s exports of 150 billion Dollars consists 92% of industrial goods. Turkey has set itself its goal for 2023. There is no impossible for us.”

Stating that there is shrinkage in domestic markets, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Turkish economy has to produce in order to grow and went on, “The domestic market is shrinking. All of Turkey is shrinking. In the last 7 months, great differences the credit granted from banks to the private sector and state have been observed. Banks are providing loans to the private sector at a higher interest rate. This is preventing the private sector from accessing credit. Credits are shrinking. Bounced check rate has shot up by 122%. The retail sector requires a structural reform. These two problems must be addressed as soon as possible.”
​