Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Karacabey Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Karacabey Commodity Exchange Joint Awards Ceremony was held at the Karacabey Taha Wedding Hall. Attending the ceremony were TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu as well as Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Çelik, Bursa Governor Münir Karaloğlu, AKP Bursa Parliamentary Representative Hüseyin Şahin, BTSO Chair İbrahim Burkay, Bursa Commodity Exchange Chair Özer Matlı, SÜTAŞ Board Chair Muharrem Yılmaz, TOBB Board Members and many chamber and exchange chairpersons.

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech that the real reason he has visited Karacabey so many times is the outstanding tableaux which greets him each time he visits, “Underlying Karacabey’s prosperity is this unity. You won’t easily see its like elsewhere. Karacabey is the pride of Turkey.” Adding that Karacabey has an active women entrepreneurs council, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “However there are no women on the council. We want at least one women member of the council at the elections next year.”

Pointing out that Karacabey Chamber and Exchange are undertaking many successful endeavors, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Five-starred chambers and exchanges are undertaking very important projects. Karacabey Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken on the project of founding a large vocational training facility to Karacabey. The Karacabey Exchange opened the sales and conference halls while now it has taken on the dehumidification facility’s premises; it is constructing the 2^nd phase of the Agriculture Market; they’ve handed over the hospital premises as well. The only complaint I have is that there are no women among the council members. Take a look at the Bursa Women Entrepreneurs Council, Karacabey Women Entrepreneurs; they are doing a terrific job. Karacabey Women Entrepreneurs have launched a Shopping Festival. It was great. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Chamber, Exchange, Governor, and the municipality for their support.”

Stating that all sectors but food has an alternative, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “7.5 billion people have to consume food. The demand for food increases each year. A population the size of Turkey is added to the global population each year. Food producers are decreasing while consumers are increasing. In the last 15 years, 500,000 people have moved to urban centers from rural in China and India. They have ceased to be food producers, becoming consumers instead. In short, it is inconceivable that a city active in agriculture should not be prosperous in this day and age. You couldn’t if you tried. The only catch is that you must conduct it on global standards.”

- Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Çelik

Speaking prior to the ceremony Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Çelik said, “I am very pleased to be in Karacabey to present awards to those who contribute to the economy. This was the first place I visited after my appointment as minister. I would like to thank you all for your well wishes. We will work together closely in all aspects to identify and solve problems.”

Stressing the need for a change of perspective for commodity exchanges, Minister Çelik stressed the need for exchanges to become avenues of added value for farmers. He stated that exchanges must also pioneer the way forward in regards to licensed warehousing, that the law concerning licensed warehousing was enacted with just this in mind.

- Other speakers

Governor Münir Karaloğlu expressed his pleasure in presenting awards to business people who generate value for the economy.

Karacabey Mayor Ali Özkan stated that the İstanbul-Bursa-İzmir Highway will contribute greatly to the trade of agricultural products.

KTSO Chair Naci Güncü also touched on the various endeavors of the Chamber and stated that with the completion of the highway and high speed train connections to Karacabey, it stands to be a strong contender for South Marmara’s production and logistics base.

Following the speeches, 42 KTSO members and 32 KTB members received their awards from Minister Çelik, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, Governor Münir Karaloğlu and various protocol members attending the ceremony.