Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Attending the 111^th anniversary of the foundation of the Bilecik Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Economy Stars of Bilecik Award Ceremony, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his excitement in visiting Bilecik.

Drawing attention to the spiritual air of Bilecik, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Sheikh Edebali adds an air of spirituality. We visited it again today. The Monuments Council has given its permission for an elevator to be built there in order to aid the visits of the elderly.”

Stating that Bilecik TSO has the right vision, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that boosting the morale of entrepreneurs would allow them to be role models for women and the youth.

Touching on the importance of enterprise on the path to prosperity Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I urge all residents of Bilecik: Raise your daughters as entrepreneurs. I look at this hall and see not nearly enough women entrepreneurs. Please raise your daughters as entrepreneurs. There is a very bad habit of wanting our daughters to go to the best university then to just find a husband and stay at home. This is wrong, my country needs entrepreneurs. The ratio of women entrepreneurs were 5% when I came into office, we’ve only forced it up to 7% through hard work.”

Speaking in regards to the minimum wage changes, Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the fact that they are not opposed to a higher minimum wage, “At the moment, I’m paying my employees 1,500TRY, but only 1,000TRY goes into their pockets. Why would I object to another 300TRY going into my employee’s pocket? Them earning more means they will also be spending more.” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey is the top country in the world for the amount of burdens placed on an employer for employing people. “All that we want is to compete on equal footing with our global competitors. Talks are still underway.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “What I see before me as someone who has been to all 81 provinces is that cities united in solidarity succeed. That is what I see in this province.” Praising the modern production mentality displayed by Bilecik and the hard work of the Bilecik TSO, Hisarcıklıoğlu also pointed out Bilecik’s loyalty to its history, “One of the oldest chambers and today, we are celebrating its 111^th anniversary.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Bilecik TSO Chair Fevzi Uzun stands behind Bilecik’s industrialists in Ankara and that all of Bilecik’s demands have been relayed to the President of the Republic of Turkey. Reporting that many of these requests are underway to being fulfilled, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I would like to congratulate those of you who have been elected to receive awards.”

Bilecik Governor Ahmet Hamdi Nayir also gave a speech, emphasizing Bilecik’s strength in the face of adversity.

Attending the ceremony alongside Hisarcıklıoğlu were Bilecik Governor Ahmet Hamdi Nayir, Eskişehir PMs Harun Karacan and Yaşar Tüzün, TOBB Board Treasurer Faik Yavuz, GTİ Co. Inc. Board Chair Arif Parmaksız and TOBB ETU Hospital Board Chair Şadan Eren, Bilecik Deputy Mayor Nihat Can, Bilecik Sheikh Edebali University Rector Prof. Dr. Azmi Özcan as well as mayors and council members from neighboring counties.