Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

- Hisarcıklıoğlu: “We do not count ourselves apart from the merchants of TRNC”

Speaking at the meeting held at the KTTO, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they do not count the KTSO and KTTO which operate in TRNC from the chambers operating within Turkey and said, “Your problems are our problems. We do not count ourselves apart from the merchants and industrialists in TRNC.

We have a vision of a TRNC with a rapidly growing economy, free from isolation, with an established economic and political system held up by a well educated human resources,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and stated that they have posed suggestions for solutions and to integrate into the international community.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that, in line with their suggestions, the TRNC Investment Solidarity Council has been established, presenting an important development in regards to solving the problems faced by investors and creating a favorable investment climate.

Pointing out the importance of forming councils to bring all parts of society together, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Turkey has accomplished this by establishing the Combined Arbitration Council and that problems are solved through discussion at the council. Hisarcıklıoğlu said that TRNC could also benefit from this system by establishing a council.

Reporting that the urbanization of Turkey has created jobs in the private sector but that the urbanization process in Cyprus has not been able to mimic this with qualified personnel preferring public office instead, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that, conversely, the structural shortcomings of the public financing system have swept away means of credit. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that this has rendered the attainment of finances difficult and expensive.

Stating that the share of the private sector’s contribution to the GNP, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that this needs to be increased.

TOBB Board Vice President and İstanbul Chamber of Commerce İbrahim Çağlar provided information regarding his chamber and stated that they are ready to develop their business relations with TRNC further.

KTTO President Günay Çerkez stated that Turkish Cypriots are in a struggle for their existence and that while the form of the struggle may have changed, its significance has not diminished.

Çerkez stated that the Investment Solidarity Council has not convened in two years and expressed his desire to meet at the shortest possible time.

KTSO President Ali Çıralı stated that the cooperation protocol signed between Turkey and TRNC is based on exports instead of production and that this is the reason they are opposed to it and said, “What we want is for Turkey to open its market to us. We want to be able to sell our goods which we produce in TRNC to Turkey. We want Homeland  Turkey to not embargo us while everyone else does.”