Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The USA, Europe and Asia Pacific countries are in talks to begin a new era in the global economy. 65% of all developed countries are forming a new market. EU’s importance for us comes to the light here. Goods are sold to those with cash. We must be a part of this market with all of its standards.”

The 5^th General Assembly of the Turkey Young Businessmen’s Confederation was held at the TOBB Union Center in Ankara was attended by Treasury Minister Mehmet Şimşek, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the TÜGİK President Erkan Güral. Giving the opening speech of the General Assembly, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the world stands at the brink of three great changes. Stating that liquidity had decreased greatly since the global crisis of 2008, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that shale gas would be the new preferred source of energy instead of petroleum and natural gas. “Natural gas costs 10 TL while shale gas only costs 3 TL. We are in a period when energy costs will go down. The USA has one of the largest shale gas reserves in the world,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out that the USA would become a production center in the world again. The TOBB President reported that with the discovery of shale gas and the decrease in energy costs will result in decrease in costs in general. Stating that there are reserves of shale gas in south east Turkey and the Trakya region, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that Turkey needs to be a part of the new world order and market.

- Structural change necessary for solving current deficit problem

Stating that Turkey’s economy had opened to global trade 30 years ago and that exports had increased by 50 times while person income has increased by 4 times, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that instability has decreased in Turkey in the last 10 years and that Anatolian entrepreneurs have achieved great successes. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the most problematic issue is the current deficit and that it needs to be solved, “We achieved greater growth with less current deficit in the past. Now, we are unable to reflect our efforts unto growth despite accruing current deficit. Turkey should not forget its industrial growth. We’ve seen significant contributions from the service sector in terms of employment, however we must focus on technology based production and exports. We need a structural change in the industry. We must sell goods which are high in worth, low in weight and of a high technological caliber.”

- Businessmen can’t be negative

Emphasizing the need take exports to far markets, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that lowering energy and transportation costs is imperative for Anatolia to trade with Europe. Hisarcıklıoğlu went on to provide information regarding the BALO Project which aims to address this issue.

Pointing out that businessmen must always be positive and have a positive outlook, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “If we are negative, the first one to lose from it will be us. We must have a positive outlook without being divorced from reality. I’ve always looked forward, never negatively. No one can stop Turkey. I believe that heartily.”

- Treasury Minister Şimşek

In his speech, Treasury Minister Mehmet Şimşek stated that there is no need for pessimism in Turkey. Stating that as a result of increased tax share in education, they would catch up to the education level of OECD countries in a few years.

Şimşek went on to touch on the subjects of institutional quality, competitiveness, private sector debt, energy independence, work life, parity and the Kurdish problem.

- TÜGİK President Güral

TÜGİK President Erkan Güral said that Turkey’s dynamism in foreign affairs and new vision gives them great excitement. Providing information in regards to TÜGİK’s efforts, Güral spoke in regards to finding new markets for entrepreneurs and increasing woman employment.

Following the speeches, Güral presented Şimşek and Hisarcıklıoğlu with plaques.

TÜGİK General Assembly held elections presided over by current President Erkan Güral with a single list.