Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that he has been in China for the last 5 days, “We were attending the G20 and B20 meetings with the President of the Republic of Turkey. I arrived yesterday and will be leaving for Belgium tonight. Like Evliya Çelebi of Kütahya, I am traveling all over the world. I lobby for Turkish interests. Among all this travel I wanted to come and visit Kütahya and to meet with the business community. I salute the city of the Seljuk, Ottoman, of foundation and liberation, Kütahya and its residents.”

Emphasizing that Turkey overcame a great trial on July 15^th, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “July 15^th was our second liberation. The courage of our nation prevented them from reaching their goals. I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Turkey, the Prime Minister, political party leaders and the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

TOBB was the first civil society organization to declare that they would recognize no other authority than the will of the people and democracy immediately following the announcement of the coup. Our chambers and exchanges in Kütahya also spread the message, attending democracy meetings as well as providing logistical support. They’ve also contributed significantly to the aid campaigns for the families of the martyrs. As a community we’ve donated 54 million TRY to the campaign. The chairpersons, boards and council members of the Kütahya CCI, Kütahya CE, Tavşanlı CCI, Simav CCI, Gediz CCI are here; I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to them.

We are just laying the foundations of a factory. We are presenting the strongest rebuttal to the traitors of July 15^th. This is a show of our belief in a strong future for Turkey.”

Stating that the Güral family is a lover of Kütahya and have rendered unto Kütahya many great services to date, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that they have contributed to the prosperity of both the city and the country.

Pointing out that we have been blessed by a bountiful land, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the need to turn natural resources into high value goods and said there is only one way to achieve this, “Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent. If we stand together, think differently but act with common cause, then we will achieve grace and prosperity. Thankfully this unity already exists in Kütahya. I am hopeful for the future. If we preserve our unity, none can bring us down. I hope that we will attain great heights together.”

- Other speakers

Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs Veysel Eroğlu stated that the name of the factory is very meaningful. Reporting that growth rates in Europe are almost at a standstill, Eroğlu said, “Turkey is progressing. We will achieve our 2023 goal of becoming one of the 10 largest economies in the world. Kütahya will be ready for 2023. Eroğlu congratulated Nafi Güral and the Güral family for the July 15^th Martyrs Ceramics Factory.

Kütahya CCI Chair Nafi Güral stated that they view the perpetrators of the July 15^th coup attempt as traitors and that is how they should be treated. Nafi urged that the business community should be pursue investments and increasing employment. Stating that TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu is familiar with the issues facing Kütahya, Güral pointed out that Hisarcıklıoğlu is also providing important representation for Turkey on international platforms.

Following the speeches, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, Minister Eroğlu and protocol members laid the foundation of the factory.