Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they’ve come to Karaman for propitious works having presented the deeds of the houses to the families of the workers who lost their lives in the Ermenek mining accident as well as conducting the opening of the science high school in Karaman, saying “We’ve named the school the Karaman TOBB Lütfi Elvan Science High School in recognition of Minister Elvan’s contributions.”

Emphasizing that the historian İlber Ortaylı best describes Karaman, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Ortaylı called Karaman a font of humanity. The spiritual architect of the Ottoman Empire Sheikh Edebali, Yunus Emre, Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey, Piri Reis and one of the Independence War Generals, Kazım Karabekir have come from Karaman. Atatürk’s mother was from Karaman. Karaman holds such import for the people it has produced for Turkish history.”

Thanking Minister Elvan, Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “Lütfi Elvan is a great opportunity for Karaman. I’ve known him since he was a bureaucrat. He has a great vision. He is beyond the constraints of bureaucratic mentality. Focused on solution and projects, he has stood by the private sector. He has taken on one of the most important ministries, both in terms of budget as well as organization. He has stepped into the role as if he has been doing it for years. He has never neglected his home while working for Turkey.”

Touching on the importance of unity and solidarity, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have a saying, ‘Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent.’ The hearts of MPs, governor, municipality director, chamber and exchange presidents all beat unison when the matter is Karaman.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, emphasizing that Karaman has a great advantage, said, “A third of biscuit production, 20% of cracked wheat production, 20% of beans, 18% of apple comes from Karaman. Karaman is doing it right. It is a leader in certified apple trees. We are exporting to 165 countries. It has also been determined to be one of the most suitable areas for solar energy. It enjoys the highest class of province incentives. It is 18^th in the most habitable provinces index of Turkey. The risk of earthquake is zero. How can there be anything but investment and production in such a province.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Karaman is above Turkey’s average in use of manufacturing capacity with 88%, having the lowest unemployment rate with 4.2%.

Reporting that Karaman is third in Turkey in the UMEM Ability’10 project, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it provides 1,410 people with employment with a job placement rate of 97%.

- Hisarcıklıoğlu visited the Zade oil factory

Following his programs in Karaman, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu moved on to Konya. Hisarcıklıoğlu and his delegation toured the Zade oil factory in the Konya OIZ, receiving information on the new parts of the factory.