Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Visiting Bursa as the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (BTSO) guest, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu lead a delegation of TOBB Board Members to attend the Stars of the Economy and Contributors to the Orhangazi TSO Award Ceremony at the Orhangazi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking at the ceremony attended by BTSO Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay and Council President Remzi Topuk, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that if unity and solidarity are present, they will bring grace and prosperity. Pointing to Orhangazi as an exemplary instance of this, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the Gebze-İzmir highway presents a great opportunity for Orhangazi. Hisarcıklıoğlu suggested that the name of the highway be changed to Orhangazi highway.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stating that Turkey’s prosperity depends on the number of entrepreneurs it has, said, “Every year 1 million new people join the workforce. This rate will increase to 1.2 million in a couple of years. That is why we must increase the number of entrepreneurs we have.”

Reporting that 93% of companies in Turkey are established by men while 7% are established by women, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We’ve only been able to increase this rate from 5% to 7% in 81 provinces. I request that the entrepreneurs here encourage young women to be entrepreneurial. If you can provide employment and food to just one person, congratulations!”

Stating that he is hopeful for Turkey’s future, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “30 years ago, there was nothing here. We did not care for quality or price. We did not have oil or gas but we had a great enterprising spirit. In 30 years, we have become the largest industrial country between Italy and China. Entrepreneurs want to compete with the world on equal ground in order to achieve Turkey’s 2023 goals.”

Orhangazi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board Chairman Ergün also gave a speech, following which Hisarcıklıoğlu and Burkay, along with Bursa MPs presented awards for contributions to the county and city’s economy. Hisarcıklıoğlu and Burkay also cut the 30^th anniversary cake for the Orhangazi Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the other protocol members.