Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Giving the opening speech of the Summit, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The detailed dialogue mechanism we’ve established between public and private sectors enables finding common cause and empathy between the private and public administration.”

During his speech at the 8^th Turkey Sector Economy Summit held at the TOBB Twin Towers, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the decision passed by the European Parliament in regards to the allegations of genocide by Armenians has been a source of great disappointment. Stressing that the decision is contrary to historical fact and will be a source of shame for European history and politics, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is my hope that officials in Europe come to recognize the fact that history is not written at the table one day.”

- “Sector councils act as arbitration mechanisms”

Stating that the Summit is the largest and most comprehensive which brings all sectors in Turkey together, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that sector councils are comprised of the 40 largest companies in a given sector. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are able to keep a close eye on all sectors this way. Reporting that a public administration representative relevant to the council is also present as a permanent member of all councils, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This way, Turkey sector councils act as sector and arbitration mechanisms which relays the results and findings to problems it discusses together as the public and private sectors directly to the public administration.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the importance of the duties of the sector council chairpersons and members who compete in their businesses as well as representing their sectors.

Reporting that all problems and solution proposals mentioned will be distributed to the relevant ministries and institutions, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I believe that the valued work of our dear friends will bring new momentum to the cooperation between public and private sectors, supporting the growth of the economy.”

Pointing out that the various issues they brought up during previous sector summits have resulted in the growth of the real sector through concrete steps and solid progress by the government, Hisarcıklıoğlu gave examples such as the VAT reduction in textiles, pharmaceuticals and tourism; incentives in the fields of maritime trade and tourism; the removal of the Resource Utilization Incentive Fund as well as the new opportunities given to SMEs and employment subsidies.

Stating that, despite all of these, all issues have yet to be resolved, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Of course there are problems, and will always be present but they are not insurmountable. More importantly, we have the chance to more easily overcome these obstacles. The detailed dialogue mechanism we’ve established between public and private sectors enables finding common cause and empathy between the private and public administration. Entrepreneurs who see that they can relay their problems to find solutions have changed their views.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and the ministers who attended the summit.

Attending the summit were Minister of the Treasury Mehmet Şimşek, Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Feridun Bilgin, Economy Bakanı Nihat Zeybekci, Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Çelik, Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Mehdi Eker, Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroğlu, Minister of National Defence İsmet Yılmaz, Customs and Trade Minister Nurettin Canikli and the Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Işık.