Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that they’ve been complaining about the lack of domestic product being purchased for public tenders for years and stated that they now have a great opportunity in their hands. Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that they’ve reached out to Prime Minister Davutuoğlu in order to implement the domestic product into law.

- A 15 billion USD market should be taken notice of

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the field has a 15 billion USD volume and said, “Technological development throughout the world is made possible through investment into domestic agents. Konya should be more active in the acquisition of Domestic Product Certification. This provides you with a 15% price advantage in public tenders. What more could you want? We can’t expect the government to give us money. We must take advantage of this opportunity and become a role model for Turkey. We’ve issued nearly 2200 certificates. Karaman, Konya, doesn’t even have 100. This number has to increase. I want your promise. Konya must become number one in domestic product certification. We must begin the race 15 steps ahead of our competition.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu urged that the Development Agency begin a new endeavor with the chambers, “What goods are being imported by the government what could provide us with advantages if they were to be produced in Konya? We must determine the answer to this and act accordingly.”

- Praise for Konya from Hisarcıklıoğlu

Touching on Konya’s economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Konya is both an agricultural and an industrial city. In global competition, cities have come to the fore. Konya has an advantage in this race. Konya has a great entrepreneurial spirit. If the rest of Turkey were anything like Konya or Karaman, there would be unemployment.” Hisarcıklıoğlu went on to provide official figures detailing the robust and safe nature of any money investment into Konya’s economy.

Emphasizing that there is grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent, Hisarcıklıoğlu praised Konya’s unity and solidarity. The TOBB President said, “This air of unity brings grace and prosperity to Konya.”

- All support for SMEs listed at www.kobi.org.tr

Stating that TÜBİTAK and KOSGEB provide important resources for SMEs, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that all of these resources can be reached through www.kobi.org.tr. He stated that over 40 public administration institutions are providing support for SMEs and they can all be reached through the site. Hisarcıklıoğlu urged the whole business community to visit the site and take advantage of the opportunities presented there. He also urged the community to register geographical markers for local goods and to pursue branding.