Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Joint Meeting of the Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Ankara was hosted by Ankara Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board of Directors Gürsel Baran at the VIP Hall of ATO Congresium. Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the meeting as well as the chairpersons and executives of the chambers and exchanges of Ankara provinces and districts.

During the part of the meeting held open to the press, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they came together to talk about Ankara and attain common ideas. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the economy of Ankara has changed and developed under the leadership of the chambers and exchanges, “We were once known as the civil servant city. Today, Ankara has become the center of high technology, education, trade and industry, especially the defense and IT sectors. In the leadership of our Chamber of Industry, Ankara OIZs have developed rapidly. They added value to Ankara with valuable production and exports. Our Commodity Exchanges supports the producer. They facilitate trade. They pioneered the development of licensed warehousing and gave a new vision to our agricultural sector. Our Chambers of Commerce have focused on Ankara's two major problems that have not been solved for years. Especially, with the great effort of my brother, Gürsel Baran, direct flights from Ankara to abroad increased rapidly. The fairground issue, which we had longed for years, was finally resolved. Allah willing, this fair area will add to the brand value and commercial life of Ankara.”

- Competition of cities

Stating that in the 21^st century cities will attain an unprecedented growth to dominate national economies, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that the only 2 cities with over 10 million in population in 1950 were New York and Tokyo. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that there are projected to be 37 megacities with over 10 million population in the world by the year 2025.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the competition between the countries would turn into an inter-city competition, “Look, it's very interesting, I recently saw it on a foreign post. A foreign city that wants to stand out in the competition is building the fastest internet infrastructure in the world. Thus, the city attracts high-tech companies, the city is rapidly becoming rich. We must increase the attractiveness of our cities. For this reason, the city needs to be a brand; environmental awareness should be increased and it must be a smart city. But that's not enough. All local actors should focus on the same goal. How to improve the private sector in the province, how to increase trade and investment. Let me give a striking example: Mall of America. Founded in America, Minnesota City. But before that, the cities competed to attract this investment. The municipalities have personally visited the Governor. They marketed their own cities. That's what this shows. Our goal is to become one of the mega-cities of the new era. To compete with the world, not just nationally. Here the first task falls to us. All our Chambers and Commodity Exchanges in Ankara must work with all their powers to prepare Ankara for the future.”

Stating that regional development agencies are not right to finance social projects of the public administration, the TOBB President added that agencies should give priority to projects that will increase the trade and production of the province and develop its economy.

- Governor of Ankara Vasip Şahin

In his speech, Governor of Ankara Vasip Şahin said, “As business people, you have taken the duty of increasing employment, increasing exports and increasing the level of welfare. As the representative of the state, the task we have is to remove the obstacles before you.” In his speech at the Ankara Chambers and Commodity Exchanges Meeting held in ATO Congresium, Şahin said that business people play a very important role in the development of cities.

- “SCT and VAT reductions will balance the economy”

Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman of the Board of Directors Gürsel Baran stated that they built their work as a chamber on the members of the Ankara economy and the economy of the country and stated that they are doing their utmost to improve Ankara in all areas.

Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) President Nurettin Özdebir, Ankara Commodity Exchange (ATB) President Faik Yavuz as well as the board members of Çubuk Commodity Exchange, Haymana Commodity Exchange, Polatli Commodity Exchange and Chamber, Beypazari Chamber of Commerce, Haymana Chamber of Commerce, Şereflikoçhisar Chamber of Commerce also attended also attended the meeting.