Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Emphasizing that if the Turkish Trade Law (TTK) had not been changed, that 6 billion TL would have come out of the private sector’s pocket, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Our chambers and exchanges have undertaken an extraordinary work to change various articles. They have succeeded magnificently. We have relayed these to the government. We have conducted meetings for a total of 30 hours, and with the support of our parliament representatives, have amended the law.

Eighteen instances of prison sentences have been removed. If the law had not been amended you would have had to pay a fine of 73,000 TL if your store sign fell off and it was noticed before you had a chance to fix it. If you can’t pay, it’s 730 days of prison. I told the ministers that this was the thinking of someone trying to solve the unemployment problem. If this stays the way it is every store sign will need a night guard for it. The person who wrote this law has never taken part in trade or written checks. How are we to solve unemployment if these people are put in prison?”

- The money sellers are protected while we have no security

Stating that another issue they are working to resolve as TOBB is regarding checks, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Dishonored checks have increased by 93%. What I’ve been told on the subject is that the current prison capacity is 140,000. The number of dishonored check cases awaiting resolution number 240,000. If these cases are completed with conviction there won’t be enough prisons. There are no other instance of postdated checks, in the way it is used here, anywhere else in the world. It is a use particular to us. What is the solution to this problem? I stated that, as the President of the Turkish private sector, I would not be satisfied with this. When we sell goods on credit, we ask two or three people. The money sellers see every detail about me; while I -marketing the sweat of my brow, taking on risks and creating employment- have access to nothing. The money sellers are protected while we have no security.

The Banks Union has always been delaying this issue. Finally they’ve been convinced. They have promised the process will begin in February. Accordingly the seller will have access to the buyer’s financial record for 3 minutes and will be able to make a decision based on that information. The banking system or the creditor insurance needs to take the place of postdated checks.

- Debts Law

Stating that another matter they are involved with is that of the Debts Law, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Now, when you go to the bank, they demand that your spouse also comes in to sign documents. We are working on this, this is a matter which needs to be addressed.”

- UMEM Ability’10

Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that they support SMEs in regards to one of the biggest problems SMEs face which is reaching finances with the help of the Credit Guarantee Fund. Stating that the provide SMEs with consultation services via ABİGEM, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they are looking to address the problem of the lack of qualified intermediary personnel with the UMEM Ability’10 Project.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also said, “You complained that you had difficulty finding personnel with vocational ability. That is why the UMEM Project exists. We provide vocational training for the unemployed while also providing the employers with a qualified work force. During this period of training we provide them with a daily stipend and insurance; we lessen the employment burden of the employer.

We are world leaders in terms of the burdens placed on employment. In the next 4.5 years, the burdens on employment will lessen by 18% with this project. This is another reason why it’s so important.”

- Akhisar TSO 5-starred

Reporting that the Akhisar Chamber of Commerce and Industry has become 5-starred today, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Akhisar TSO has proved its quality with the certificate of accreditation it has earned. Whatever quality service is provided in Europe, the same is true for Akhisar. This is a matter of vision. It is no easy task to acquire this certification.”

- The importance of branding

Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out the importance of branding, said, “If we want to earn money, prosper and be one of the top 10 countries of the world, we must become a brand in whatever we do. We must first of all become a brand as a country. Akhisar’s duty is to make Akhisar into a brand. I’m telling both our traders and businessmen: Whatever you do, brand it.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu congratulated the residents of Akhisar for branding their olives and stated that this is the result of unity and solidarity.

Also touching on the success of Akhisarspor, the TOBB President urged them to adopt their team fully and that it is great publicity for Akhisar.

Stating that he is hopeful for the future of Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the Turkish private sector has accomplished great works and said, “We have no oil or gas; but we do have a great entrepreneurial spirit.”

- New constitution is a must

Emphasizing that becoming one of the world’s top ten economies is their goal, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the system needs to change which must be achieved with a constitution which encompasses all 74 million.

Attending the ceremony held at the Akhisar Municipality Cultural Centre in addition to TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu were Manisa Governor Halil İbrahim Daşöz, Akhisar Municipality Director Salih Hızlı, TOBB Board Vice Presidents Faik Yavuz and Bülent Koşmaz, Balıkesir Industry Chamber Council President Rona Yırcalı, KOSGEB President Mustafa Kaplan, Akhisar TSO Board President M. Ali Erdayıoğlu, Akhisar TSO Council President Mehmet Ulusoy and the region’s chamber/exchange presidents as well as businessmen.
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