Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech that they have contributed to the lifting of a great burden, 6 billion TL, from the backs of the sector via the changes brought to the new Turkish Trade Law.

Stating that Turkey produces very high quality products, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that there are no markets beyond Turkey’s capability.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that the potential of the East Marmara Development Agency (MARKA) region which covers Bolu, Sakarya, Düzce, Yalova and Kocaeli, is very high and that this potential needs to be carefully actualized.

Reporting that 3,500 people have found employment through the UMEM Project in Kocaeli, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that this was an insufficient number.

Stating that the region has significant potential in the fields of tourism and agriculture as well, the TOBB President said that these must also be cultivated.

- “The success of the Turkish private sector”

Drawing attention to the significant role of the private sector in the development of the country, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “For 30 years, we’ve written an extraordinary tale of success as the Turkish private sector, to be shown as an example to the whole world. Thirty years ago Greece and Saudi Arabia were ahead of us. They were better developed. Now, they are not our equal even added together. This is the success of the Turkish private sector.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they want nothing from the government, said, “There are 17 countries ahead of me; all I want is to be subject to the same rules as their industrialists, entrepreneurs, traders. I want nothing else. We are 55th on the world competition index. Yet still we achieved a growth rate of 8.5% last year and made Turkey the second fastest growing country in the world and the world’s 17th largest economy. All we want from the decision makers is that they give us the same conditions as the 17 countries ahead of us.” Hisarcıklıoğlu said that given these conditions, they would put Turkey in the top 10 by 2023.

Kocaeli Chamber of Industry President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu also gave a speech following which the awards for 22 companies were presented to their respective representatives by TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Kocaeli Governor Ercan Topaca.
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