Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The protocol detailing the establishment of the faculties by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey University of Economy and Technology (TOBB-ETU) was signed.

The ceremony held at the Sivas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TSO) Conference Hall was attended by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, National Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz, Sivas Governor Ali Kolat, Sivas National Assembly Members Hilmi Bilgin and Ali Turan, Sivas Municipality President Doğan Ürgüp, TOBB Commerce and Industry Chambers Council President and Sivas Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Osman Yıldırım, Kayseri Chamber of Commerce President Hasan Ali Kilci and many guests.

Touring the locations of the faculties to be built, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu was briefed by the Sivas TSO President Osman Yıldırım.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We will work towards furthering the education of youth in Sivas with TOBB-ETU faculties and develop them for the tradesmen and the industry of Sivas. We will conduct education in the native language and we will be number one. I see the future of Turkey in TOBB-ETU. I get goose bumps when I think about that youth. We will support the TOBB-ETU faculties in any way we can.

- “We are a country that recovers rapidly from crises”

Stating that Turkey is a country that recovers rapidly from crises, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that there is an imminent danger from the west, “We are country that recovers rapidly from a crisis. There is imminent danger from the west. If Europe can’t deal with this crisis, then it will be on our heads as well. Because, 65% of our foreign market interests are there. There are political crises to our north and south. Political and economic problems to either side. However Turkey is in a very good state at the moment. If we are to be the region’s leader, Turkey must account for itself. We want to be in the top 10 in the next 11 years. We are breaking records as the business world. We are champions at growing the country.”

- “We must contribute to the new constitution”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that citizens should support the new constitution to be put forth by the Grand National Assembly and said, “There is an expectation of a new constitution among the ruling and opposition parties and the public. The crucial change necessary for the change in the system is imperative for establishment of a new constitution at this time. This constitution will be the social contract of our every brother and sister from every creed. We must all contribute to this constitution. The bond between representative and citizen must be strengthened.

If we can accomplish our goals no collapse of western economy in 2023 can faze Turkey. There isn’t a country we do not trade goods with. We want to pass on the country to the youth as one of the top ten economies of the world.”

- “Turkey will not prosper without larger number of entrepreneurs”

Stating that Turkey needs to increase its number of entrepreneurs to prosper, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that there are 1,346,000 entrepreneurs in a population of 72 million.

Making a comparison with Japan, which has 6 million entrepreneurs, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated, “This is what we need to do if Turkey wants to prosper. We must increase our entrepreneur number to four times its current amount. We come from a culture that abhors waste but only 6.5% of women are entrepreneurs. We are only using half of our potential. We say mobilize our women entrepreneurs. Let’s establish entrepreneur sub-councils in chambers and encourage our young girls to be enterprising. We want to inspire them with success stories.”

“Unfortunately, the number of establishments aged over a hundred years is as few as a dozen.” Said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “When we look at advanced countries, we see that Japan has companies as old as 500 years. 150-200 year old companies in Europe. We also had manufacturing facilities a hundred years ago. Today, none of those are left. The reason for it is when we say ‘These beaches were worthless. The fathers left them to their daughters and left the fields and farms to their sons. Now the daughters are rich.’

Every order based on inequality and injustice is bound to crumble. If you are trying to leave behind an unjust company know that it ends with you. Know that this disorder exists in Turkey. You can check property records to compare numbers of men and women owners. If you want your companies to be long-lasting, you must not discriminate between your sons and daughters. You amass large resources; know well how to spend those resources. Please do not discriminate between your children, act fairly.

- “Sivas has every potential for investment”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I am excited every time I visit Sivas. Sivas has borne many poets and politicians. The residents of Sivas are truly fortunate. They have wonderful bureaucrats. The defense industry must be independent to ensure the freedom of the country. It must be in the safest location. Sivas has every potential for investment. Most importantly, there is unity and solidarity. We may be of different cultures or thoughts but we all must think the same way about Sivas. This unity and solidarity will lead to prosperity.”

- National Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz

The Minister of National Defense, İsmet Yılmaz said that the region’s people have expectations of Turkey. Expressing the need for unity and solidarity as Turkey, Yılmaz said, “Everyone in the region has expectations of Turkey. We need to have unity and solidarity. To continue leading, we need a strong army. And for that, you need a strong economy. A strong economy will make for a strong country.

We landed in Ankara at 04:00 from Libya. The pilot who brought us to Sivas was Greek. We have foreigners working in Turkey. We are getting requests to work together from foreign countries. I thank those who brought Turkey to where it stands today. It is my hope that Turkey will be a shining star in the coming century.”

After the speeches, the TOBB-ETU Faculty protocols were signed. Afterwards, awards were given out to the highest tax paying members of the Sivas TSO and members who fulfilled their 40 years of service.
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