Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that a new era is breaking for Turkey and industrialists. Industrialists have complained that the public administration has failed to support or prioritize domestic companies in its tenders.

Stating that even developed countries promote production in their own countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In these cases public administration will give preference to domestic companies and goods despite higher prices. That way, they ensure that their SMEs grow. The biggest problem SMEs have is that they are unable to gain a foothold in the market.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they’ve been lagging behind in this regard, said, “We greet foreign companies with open arms, supporting foreign companies instead of our own SMEs. If we continue like this, tomorrow’s global giants will not be from among Anatolian SMEs. We’ll keep complaining about our dependence on imports in regards to industry and exports.”

Drawing attention to the importance of SMEs for the economy, the TOBB President reported that SMEs conduct 59% of exports and 40% of imports; Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that SMEs have the solution to foreign trade deficit.

Stating that 15% price advantage in public tenders for domestic production was passed in 2002, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Various bureaucratic difficulties has not been able to be implemented. Three Prime Ministry memorandums have been circulated. However, in 93% of public tenders, this procedure was not followed. In order to overcome the difficulties we’ve encountered and to support domestic production, we’ve undertaken a very important endeavor under the leadership of Minister Işık.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they would be able to calculate the degree to which a product had been produced domestically and that industrial goods must be a least 51% domestically produced in order to be considered domestic products.

Providing information in regards to the process for acquiring Domestic Goods Certification, Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “The company will first appoint a certified public accountant and financial adjuster. Afterwards, in accordance with the Accounts Log of the Ministry, the domestic contribution percentage will be calculated. This will be ratified by a technical expert and accountant in regards to finances. The relevant chamber/exchange will check the sum of information and documentation. If satisfied it will prepare the Domestic Product Certificate and present it to the company.”

Reporting that the 15% price advantage for domestic goods would be used more actively, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that this would enable the identification of mid- and high-tech goods and support them instead of randomly investing.

Stating that this would provide new opportunities to further develop both the national industry and SMEs, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that the way to decrease foreign trade deficit, robust and stable growth is through strengthening of SMEs and industry.

- Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Işık

Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Işık stated that Turkey’s vision is to create a high income economy and that, in order to achieve this, developing industry able to produce mid- and high-tech products is imperative.

Minister Işık provided information in regards to the public acquisitions, public tenders and their work to facilitate the processes in line with the Domestic Goods Citation.

Işık stated that they view 2015 as a year in which Turkey can gain ground, pointing out that they put great importance domesticity percentage.

Following the opening speeches, Eczacıbaşı – Baxter Hospital Products Industry and Trade LLC, Factory Director Ali Doğan Bürge was given the Domestic Product Certificate.