Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

- Hisarcıklıoğlu urges employers and job seekers towards UMEM

Underlining the fact that Turkey’s most important problem is employment and qualified workforce, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the perfect project to deal with this problem has been developed and urged employer and job seekers towards UMEM.

Pointing out the benefits of the project for employers and job seekers alike, Hisarcıklıoğlu invited the Turkish business community to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the UMEM Ability’10 Project.

- No loss in education

“We are here together to lay the foundations of a very important education institution,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “You can make a loss in any enterprise with the exception of education. First of all, it is a gain for people. Your city benefits from it; your country benefits from it. We are overjoyed to be undertaking this endeavor in Manisa as a part of our 81 schools in 81 provinces initiative. I present my thanks to the MTSO and its board of directors.”

Touching on the events of Soma, Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the 365 chambers and exchanges for their support during that unfortunate event.

- Manisa’s economy

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “When you take into account where the economy is generated within Turkey; 28% of Turkey’s economy is generated through industry while this ratio is 32% in Manisa. Agriculture forms 9% of national income while it is 19% in Manisa. It is a city with a tradition for industry.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu illustrated the industrious and productive nature of Manisa through further statistical examples.

- Manisa’s 5-star chamber

Reporting that the Manisa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Commodity exchanges are 5-star chambers/exchanges, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This means that they are providing you with the same quality of service as any chamber in Paris, London or Berlin.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that chamber presidents sacrifice much during their service for the sake of their country and business community, “We believe that the salvation of one is the salvation of all. We work to make our cities, country more prosperous.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the need for an international fair ground in Manisa as well as pointing to the importance of geographical markers and the branding of local goods, with the Sultani grape of Manisa as an example.

- High seniority indemnity

Hisarcıklıoğlu assessed the developments in Turkey’s economy and stressed the burden placed on the developing economy and the private sector’s viability through the high costs of employment. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated, “If we mean to achieve our 2023 goals we must reacquire the growth figures of 2002-2009. The service sector holds 65% of the economy while industry stands at 25%. We must ensure that industry makes up more of Turkey’s economy.

We must match and overcome our competitor. We must rekindle the fires of reform. I don’t want money from the government. Only that they let us work under the same conditions as our competitors. Give us the same conditions as those marketing their goods to Germany, to France.”

Following the speeches, the foundation laying ceremony for the TOBB Manisa Bülent Koşmaz Science High School to be built in the Güzelyurt neighborhood of Yunusemre County was symbolically conducted at the Manisa Anemon Hotel.