Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Organized jointly by Konya Chamber of Industry, Konya Chamber of Commerce, Konya Commodity Exchange, Konya Tax Office, and the Social Security Provincial Directorate, the Konya Economy Awards Ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Deputy Prime Minister Lütfi Elvan, Customs and Commerce Minister Bülent Tüfenkci, Forestry and Water Ministry Veysel Eroğlu and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.

Speaking at the ceremony, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the importance of unity and solidarity, “This befits Konya. The definition of unity describes Konya. This is the city of Mevla, it is under his spiritual patronage. We have a wonderful saying: Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent. Look at the brand cities of Turkey. This is their underling formula.”

Stating that Konya has become a brand city, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Konya is landlocked, has no ports and no forests. Still it became a brand city. It used to be an agricultural city, as a bread basket. Today, Konya is one of Turkey’s largest trade and industry cities. It is an example for agricultural cities throughout the world.”

Emphasizing that they will provide all the necessary support to the chambers and commodity exchanges in Konya, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Konya’s greatest advantage is that its people and hardworking and honest. The best example of this is our Prime Minister. They have delivered on all of their election promises in a short time following the elections. A saying attributed to Mevlana goes, ‘A promise is meaningful; promise fulfilled is a thousand times more so.’ Everyone makes promise but honor belongs to those with heart.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the reforms enacted throughout Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s terms as Prime Minister have opened the way for Turkey, “We penned a great success story. Now PM Davutoğlu has begun a new period of reforms.”

“We’ve held nearly 20 meetings with the Prime Minister and the cabinet following the election in the first month alone,” stating that they’ve consulted at length, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “That is why I am hopeful for Turkey’s future. All that is necessary is that we preserve our unity and solidarity.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that since the global crisis, in the last 6 years, Turkey’s exports have increased by 41%, Konya’s by 55%; business establishments have increased by 48% nationally while Konya has seen an increase of 60%; employment rates increased in Turkey and in Konya by 56% and 74%, respectively.

- Prime Minister Davutoğlu

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu reported that they have enacted various investment incentives with regards to the economic development levels of the cities receiving them.

Pointing out that Turkey has greatly increased its exports in the last 15 years, PM Davutoğlu stated that, as Turkey rises as a global power, so does Konya and that it will continue to do so.

Davutoğlu reported that Konya’s exports have increased from 130,000,000 USD in 2002 to 1.48 billion USD in 2014; that a month’s exports today are equal to a year’s worth of exports back in 2002.

Stating that export-import parity in Konya is also at a high 80%, Davutooğlu said, “Konya is entrepreneurial. She runs, seeks ways to increase production, trade and profit. People know that power of the nation and the state are derived from hard work.”

- Memiş Kütükcü

Speaking on behalf of the Konya Chamber of Industry, Konya Chamber of Commerce, Konya Commodity Exchange, Konya Tax Office and SKG Provincial Office, TOBB Board Member and Konya Chamber of Industry Chair Memiş Kütükcü presented 70 awards in 10 categories.

Attending the ceremony were AK Vice President Mehdi Eker, Konya Governor Muammer Erol, Konya Mayor Tahir Akyürek, TOBB Board Member and Konya Chamber of Commerce Chair Selçuk Öztürk, TOBB Board Member and Konya Chamber of Industry Chair Memiş Kütükcü, TOBB Board Member Yahya Toplu, Konya Commodity Exchange Chair Hüseyin Çevik