Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech at the event in which those paying the highest amount in registration fees and those who have fulfilled their 30^th, 40^th and 50^th anniversaries working for the Edirne Commodity Exchange were awarded, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey boasts of great swathes of prime arable land, stressing the need to make the best use of them.

Pointing out that the global population increases by 78 million annually, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that 500 million people have risen to middle class in the last decade. This has resulted in increased urbanization and consumption. Stating that Turkey can’t import agriculture and livestock husbandry in today’s conditions, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We don’t have that luxury. There is a future in agriculture and animal husbandry.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that international organizations are against Turkey farming. “After research it was evident that global agriculture trade is dominated by a handful of multinational corporations which would much rather have Turkey pull out of the market.”

- Edirne Governor Şahin

Edirne Governor Dursun Ali Şahin stated that Edirne, a former Ottoman capital of 92 years, is a sight which must be seen.

Stressing the need for an airport and high speed train in Edirne, Şahin stated that increasing the city’s connectedness, via air and land, would increase its influence.

Following the speeches, those who paid the highest amounts of registration fees in 2010-2014 and those who have fulfilled their 30^th, 40^th and 50^th anniversaries were presented with commemorative plaques.