Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu participated in the Value Contributors of Sivas Award Ceremony organized jointly by the Sivas Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sivas Commodity Exchange. The TOBB President, giving a message of unity and solidarity, said, “I hope the future of Sivas will be as bright as its past. The attraction of Sivas is increasing. Sivas can do much better.” Stating that there are expectations from the government for the projects, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We are expecting the completion of the road connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean via Ordu-Sivas. In this way, Sivas will be connected to the sea, reaching the port. It will be easier for Sivas to export. Ankara-Sivas high-speed train line should soon be completed.

Thus, Ankara-Sivas will be reduced to 2 hours and Istanbul-Sivas to 5 hours. Sivas should become the center that connects the east and the west. In addition, both the President and the Minister of Industry mentioned special incentives to make Sivas an industrial center. We are closely monitoring this issue.”

- What have we done for the chambers and exchanges?

Hisarcıklıoğlu, the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), speaking on what has been achieved in the last year, said: “Your biggest complaint was access to finance. The banks which chase us on a good day and disappear on a rainy day. We have launched low-interest SME support packages. TOBB-Chambers and Commodity Exchanges have taken on their share of the burden. We mobilized all our resources. In 2 years, we provided 12 billion TRY to 96,000 SMEs. Then we went to the government and requested additional support. Thanks to them, they offered credit facilities to our SMEs with 4 different credit packages. Our second step in financing was Commercial Receivables Insurance. State-funded commercial receivables insurance was launched this year. Another problem was high employment costs. First, we have provided the Minimum Wage Support to employers. It ended last year but has since been restarted with the amount increased. In 2019, 150 TL will be provided for 12 months. Then, we started employment mobilization with our Chamber and Commodity Exchange. Together with our government, we have provided historical support. There has been a great amount of progress in regards to, Wage Support, SSI and Concise Support, Short Work Allowance Support for new employment, Tax relief request for the support of the domestic market, Furniture-White Goods-Automobile and Housing tax relief, and mediation.

Are there no troubles at all? Of course, but through unity and solidarity, we can overcome all these troubles. As long as we don't marginalize each other. All we want from the government is equal conditions with our global competitors. We'll take care of the rest.”

- 100^th anniversary celebrations in Sivas

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he is honored to be in Sivas, the place where the seeds of unity and solidarity were sown a century ago, “I see it as a city of hope and national will. Without Sivas, there would be no Turkey, no Turkish nation. The 82 million and future generations should know this.”

Stating that a very important decision was taken in Sivas Congress, which should be remembered by all, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We were told that the homeland is a whole, indivisible. Here; This spirit of national unity and solidarity rising from Sivas is our greatest strength in the face of the threats directed against our nation, flag, ancestors and state. Everyone who wants to disrupt the unity and integrity of this country should know that as long as the spirit and the people of Sivas persists, no one can divide Turkey.”