Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The 10^th Term 39 chambers/exchanges which completed their procedures last year and the 54 chambers/exchanges renewing their certification from the 1^st, 2^nd, 5^th and 7^th Term received their certificates during a ceremony hosted by TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu and the attendance of the Minister for Science, Industry and Technology, Fikri Işık.

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Minister Işık for the abolition of the base area limits for OIZs and advantages for domestic goods in public tenders.

Stating that it is a very proud day for them, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “191 of our chambers and exchanges have become accredited. 41 more are in line to be accredited. We have a community to be rightly proud of. Our 5-star chambers and exchanges provide at least the same quality of service to their members as any to be found in Paris, London or Berlin. I congratulate the 191 chambers’ and exchanges’ presidents and employees.”

Reporting that only 5 chambers and exchanges had personnel who could speak and write in English, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the number has reached 355 today. Stating that they’ve accomplished many transformations in regards to chambers and exchanges, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The future is very important. It is provinces and counties becoming brands, not countries anymore. It is at this point that we collect the demands of our members and companies to gauge what services they want from us.”

- Minister for Science, Industry and Technology, Fikri Işık

Minister for Science, Industry and Technology, Fikri Işık said, “It is our foremost desire as the Ministry for Science, Industry and Technology that interest rates no longer obstruct investors. In this regard, we believe that the Treasury will take the necessary steps to ensure it.”

During his speech, Minister Işık stated that not just hotels, but chambers and exchanges also provide 5-star service in Turkey.

Stating that Turkey has covered much ground in the last 12-13 years, Işık reported that, in many cases, they are making comparisons with 2002. He emphasized that this success is due to cooperation with the private sector.

Işık stated that they would continue to consult with business people and industrialists in all subjects and went on to say that they have been conducted meetings in all the provinces they’ve traveled to. Minister Işık also stated that they are anticipating the cooperation of chambers and exchanges.

Stating that they have 3 priorities as the government, Işık listed these as domestic, innovative and green production.

Recalling PM Ahmet Davutoğlu’s good news for SMEs, Işık requested that chambers and exchanges direct SMEs.

Minister Işık stated that there are good opportunities for Turkey, pointing to the drop in petroleum prices he stated that they expect a drop in inflation; current deficit is decreasing and is expected to do so. Işık said, “It is our foremost desire as the Ministry for Science, Industry and Technology that interest rates no longer obstruct investors. In this regard, we believe that the Treasury will take the necessary steps to ensure it.”

Following the speeches, Minister Işık and Hisarcıklıoğlu presented chamber and exchange directors with their certificates.