Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech here, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Antalya has given morale to the whole country with its achievements and said, “You have written a worldwide success story in tourism. The number of tourists arriving this year reached 15 million. In the same period last year, this number was 11 million. On the other hand, Antalya has also made a name for itself in industry and agriculture. You have again become a world brand in yacht production. In fruit-vegetable-horticulture-floriculture, you are without a competition. Therefore, Antalya is very important for Türkiye, for the economy. When Antalya grows, Türkiye also grows. When Antalya suffers, so does Türkiye. Therefore, Antalya should always be given special attention.”

- Antalya is also a symbol of economic transformation

Stating that Antalya is the symbol of the transformation in the Turkish economy with its great success story in the economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “It has become the shining star and brand city not only in Türkiye but also in this great region that includes the entire Mediterranean. It did this with the help of our entrepreneurs, who will soon receive their well-deserved awards. Knowing the importance of Antalya, I visited Antalya every year, except for the pandemic, and whenever you invite me. I take your pulse, listen to your problems and opinions. Together with my Chamber and Commodity Exchange Presidents, we prepare proposals and convey them to the government. I am also proud of our Antalya Chamber and Commodity Exchange as they are both accredited. They offer European quality service. ATSO is also implementing important projects to support our members. ATSO Advantage Card, Innovation Center, Academy, International Competitiveness Development and Clustering Projects are each valuable for our Antalya business world. It is these types of visions that make cities brands, enrich them and make them stand out in the world. Hopefully, thanks to the unity and solidarity I see here, Antalya will achieve its goals. I work together with all the Presidents of the Chambers and Commodity Exchanges in Antalya in our boards at TOBB. We are together with my brother Ali Çandır in the TOBB Administration. My brother Ali Bahar has also assumed duties both in our CCI Council and in the General Administration Board of TOBB. I also benefit from their experience and knowledge in Ankara. I am very pleased to work with all of them. At the point that TOBB has reached today, our Antalya Chambers-Commodity Exchanges and Presidents have a great share.”

- School good news from Hisarcıklıoğlu

Reminding that as TOBB, they built a Science High School with 24 classrooms in Antalya-Kepez, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they took another step in line with the request of the Chamber and Commodity Exchange Presidents and decided to build a school in Alanya, Manavgat and Kumluca.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “I am hopeful about the future of my country as long as we do not marginalize each other. Let's not exclude anyone because of their ideas, opinions and beliefs. Let us love and respect each other. Remember, 100 years ago, we were poor, tired, a nation exhausted by wars. Our ancestors who founded the Assembly, brought the Republic and gifted us this beautiful homeland never fell into despair. They had nothing in hand, nothing in palm. But they had a love for independence and hopes and dreams for the future. The most important fact is that the miracle of National Liberation was achieved out of disasters and poverty. The Republic of Türkiye, whose 100^th anniversary we have reached, is the most beautiful partnership of millions of people who have shared destiny in these lands. Standing tall against of the world means that we are Türkiye. It is the declaration of the rebirth of the Turkish nation from its ashes, which struggled with various kinds of poverty, fought enemies far superior to themselves, but never gave up. I commemorate with mercy and gratitude our ancestors, especially Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who gave us this homeland by putting their lives on the line, to whom we owe our existence, those who fought valiantly for the stability and future of our country, and all the sons of our homeland who were veterans and martyrs. In the second century of our Republic, we will be brave like our ancestors. We will continue to think big and dream big. We will follow the path of those who gifted and entrusted our homeland and our Republic to us. We will continue to work with all our strength to leave a more prosperous and strong country to future generations. God willing, we will join hands together and bring our country to the place it deserves, and we will be among the world's largest economies.”

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu presented a special 100^th anniversary award to Archery World and Olympic Champion Mete Gazoz at the ceremony.