Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the opening of the fair, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that YÖREX started in 2010 with the slogan 'if there is a crisis, there is a solution' in order to bring regional and geomarked products to the economy, “We supported this initiative initiated by our Antalya Commodity Exchange as TOBB. In the intervening 10 years, we have hosted 3,000 participants and more than 1 million visitors. At the same time, YÖREX has made important contributions to the development of the geomark ecosystem in our country. In 10 years, the number of registered geomarks increased from 110 to 921 and the number of applications increased from 160 to 721. YÖREX has increased the perception and awareness of geomarks.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu also announced that YÖREX has been awarded the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) special award and the Chamber-Exchange Project Competition Jury Special Award.

“YÖREX has become Turkey's showcase of regional products and geomarks,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said. From east to west, from north to south, all of Turkey stands side by side here in unity, solidarity and fraternity.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, who shared his vision of transitioning from quantity to quality in geomarks as TOBB, said, “Here we started to register geomark manufacturers primarily through our Chambers and Exchanges. Producers start the production of geomarked products by contracting with the Chamber or Commodity Exchange, which is the registered owner. Our Chambers and Exchanges are also testing this and creating the market. Thus, they also make it possible for geomarks to be the subject of more trade.”

In this context, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they have made YÖREX an important meeting point for the branding and commercial appreciation of local products and geomarks, bringing together geomark manufacturers, national retailers and e-commerce portals to conduct bilateral business meetings.

Hisarcıklıoğlu explained that they have launched campaigns with e-commerce portals specific to geomarks, and emphasized that geomark manufacturers are more involved in e-commerce.

Noting that the work is not finished only with domestic registration, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is now very important to register abroad and enter global markets. So far, 7 of our products have been registered in Europe, and the evaluation process of all 24 of our products is ongoing. I would like to sincerely thank my Chambers and Exchanges for doing this. With our TOBB Brussels Office, we help the EU registration process of geographical markings. We have also prepared a guide for geographical markings to help the EU registration process.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are working on the smart label project in order to ensure traceability, tracking and certification of geomarks, and that the consumer will now prefer the geomark with confidence while the manufacturer will proudly present the product.

“If we do not know the value of the products coming out of these lands first, we cannot tell the foreign markets in any way,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said. Research them, brand them and sell them to the world. Send them all over the world with e-commerce and e-export. It's getting so easy now. In these matters, both TOBB and our Chambers and Exchanges will help you.”

- Other speakers

Antalya Governor Ersin Yazıcı said that the importance of food and agriculture was once again understood during the coronavirus pandemic. Pointing out that the values should be opened to the world market, Yazıcı said, “We will make the promotion of regional products geomarked products to the world together from the world city by expanding YÖREX even more. We had a fire that affected Manavgat's villages. I would like to thank the TOBB President for their support. We will market our local values to the world market together. We're going to teach the world our values. We may be a little behind, some of our products may be overdue, but I believe that the beautiful people of this country, the commodity exchange and the chamber presidents will bring other products, especially local products, to the top of the world.”

Antalya Metropolitan Mayor Muhittin Böcek stated that agricultural producers closely follow the problems of their rural producers. Stating that the producer knows very well the value of the villager's sweat, Böcek said, “Due to the pandemic and climate change, the agricultural sector is deeply affected by risks such as natural disasters and drought. It is understood by everyone that even a handful of soil is important. The cost of producers should be reduced and employment in agriculture should be increased. As a metropolitan area, we take care to implement local development projects and develop agriculture.”

Nurten Öztürk, TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council President, stated that cooperatives should be supported on the basis of women and that conscious collaborations should be made. Öztürk expressed happiness in taking part in the fair, which promotes women in rural areas who uphold national values. Öztürk stated that such activities are important for promoting local products on the trade route, encouraging women in the countryside and paving the way for entrepreneurs.

Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Davut Çetin stated that the city has set investment records in the agricultural sector in the last two years. Stating that YÖREX is more than an event, Çetin said, “We have come a long way in branding food both nationally and locally. We registered 5 geomarked products as a chamber. Gastronomy fairs are on our agenda. We will achieve much better success next year.”

Ali Çandır, President of Antalya Commodity Exchange, said that 13 years ago, they started their journey of local products with the slogan “What is famous about your place?” and today they have implemented a major project that is sweeping the whole country. Underlining that they know the value of products belonging to the richness of culture and civilization accumulated over 12,000 years, Ali Çandır said, “We also know that countries with several hundred years of history in the world export billions of dollars from their local products, create added value and motivate them to live in the countryside. Today, local products are much more recognizable, demanded and naturally produced and sold almost anywhere in our country. The most important issue that we should pay attention to here is to protect and guarantee the rights and law of these local products. It is the geomark registrations that provide this protection, both nationally and internationally.”

“This year, there are over 650 exhibitors from 76 provinces and TRNC with 113 chambers and exchanges, 16 development agencies, 83 women's cooperatives,” Çandır said.

Prof. Dr. Habip Asan, President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Association, stated that there is a serious awareness in Turkey about the geomarked product. Stating that the issue of creating more added value and sustainability on the basis of geomarked products came to the forefront, Asan said, “Turkey has experienced a 20-fold increase in industrial property compared to 15 years ago. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, Turkey ranked in the top 10 in the world in industrial applications.”

Following the speeches, awards were given to 7 companies that received EU Geomark Registration.

- Hisarcıklıoğlu visited the stands and attended the chamber-commodity exchange consultation meeting

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu visited the stands in the fairgrounds after the opening ceremony and received information about the products and works. Hisarcıklıoğlu then met with the heads of the regional chambers / commodity exchanges at a consultation meeting and listened to the problems and solution proposals. He exchanged views.