Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Attending the meeting held at the Bursa Merinos Atatürk Culture and Congress Center to celebrate the 125^th anniversary of the foundation of the Bursa TSO in addition to TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu were Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz, Bursa TSO President İbrahim Burkay, Bursa Commodity Exchange President Özer Matlı as well as county chamber and exchange president and many businesspeople.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu called for reform during his speech. Stating that Turkey would not be able to prosper without staying up to date with the developments in the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “If Turkey can’t keep up we will not be able to prosper. We are the 17^th largest economy. We want to overtake those countries ahead of us. Unfortunately, for the last six years, we have been counting in place. This is called the medium-income trap. We must leave this rut. We want to sprint ahead. Let us rekindle the flame of reform throughout the country. If we are unable to do so we will lose our competitive power.”

- We need to unite, not dissent

Pointing out that it is necessary to allow trade to flourish in order to prosper; Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that peace is, therefore, a necessity, “We need to unite, not dissent. We want peace. Everyone should do their part. Let politicians handle politics and let us do our work.”

Stating that it is a great joy to be able to provide someone with employment and livelihood, the TOBB President spoke about the Turkish private sector’s story of success. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “How did we achieve this all in the face of adversity? We accomplished this in spite of all the political and economic upheaval surrounding us. The Turkish private sector placed its conviction in the future of this country and invested 160 billion USD. It provided employment to 4.5 million people. We deserve to be number one. We can make this country the largest economy in the world; all we need is to prevent any harm coming to our unity.”

- Praise for Bursa from Hisarcıklıoğlu

Reminding that Bursa is a capital, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Bursa carries the culture of a capital city and more.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Though it may appear that we adopted the chambers system from France, the opposite is true. Because the Akhism and lodge system is the foundation of the chambers system of today. You are the founders of the chambers system. Bursa has always been the capital of production and commerce. Today we celebrate perhaps 5 centuries of trade organization, not just 125 years. We said that the chambers with the best service for its members would be ours and we implemented the 5-star chamber system similar to how hotels are classified. Today, Bursa TSO provides services on par with chambers in London, Berlin and Paris. It is not without its issues but we try and address these through surveys. Our duty to you is to relay these to the government and bureaucrats.

Bursa is very important for us. In the last 10 years, Bursa has increased its exports five times over. Bursa has achieved an annual exports volume of 12 billion USD. This boosts morale and we bring it to Van, to Hakkari. Bursa is very important for such products as automotive, synthetic fibers, tomato paste, peaches, olives and many others.”

A figure of 500,000 tourists is not becoming of Bursa. It has a much greater potential. Our most accessible city to the world is Bursa. That is why it is very important to be up to date with the developments in the world.”

- Seven important global trends

Stating that there are seven important trends in the world, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The global financial and energy maps as well as the rules of trade are undergoing change. The middle class is seeing a great boom. Back in the day, countries competed. Today, cities do. The economies of cities are becoming the primary priority. The more added value Bursa generates, Turkey benefits.”

- The world is anxious to import entrepreneurs, not goods

Stating that entrepreneurship has become a main factor in international competition, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The richest companies in the world are located in Silicon Valley in the USA. Of the entrepreneurs investing there, 52% of them were born outside of the USA. Goods are no longer the premium import, but rather entrepreneurs. We need to be drawing in more entrepreneurs to Bursa for more production and more prosperity. Bursa needs to become a base for production.

The internet has become the backbone of the economy throughout the world while we only use it for communication and news. I am not against social media but the main use for it elsewhere is trade. You put your goods on the internet and moments later it is sold to a buyer on the other side of the globe. Is there a faster way to conduct business?

Today, England conducts 14% of its trade online. Ours is only 1%. We must increase this ratio. e-trade should be our indispensable priority.”

- Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz

Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz drew attention to the inheritance and importance of Bursa. Pointing out that Bursa draws in large amounts of immigration, Yılmaz reported that 50,000 people come to Bursa each year, adding richness and color to the city.

Stating that Turkey national income has reached 820 billion USD as of last year, Yılmaz stressed the need to continue enacting reforms.

In regards to the 2023 goals, Yılmaz expressed that it is very gratifying to see that these goals have been adopted by all parts of society.

Following the speeches, BTSO founder Osman Fevzi Efendi’s grandson Memduh Göçken, Ömer Kızıl on behalf of BTSO’s first member, the Kızıl family, other members and former presidents and personnel were presented with commemorative plaques.

- Bursa TSO President İbrahim Burkay

Bursa TSO President İbrahim Burkay, stating that Bursa TSO has 125 years behind it, provided more information on the history of the chamber. Stating that great endeavors are completed by those who dream big, Burkay said, “Our country which, only 10 years ago, questioned tomorrow, now makes plans for 10, 20 years ahead.

It is very important to preserve our national unity. There is no goal we cannot accomplish as a nation united. As the Bursa business community, we want to define our own rules.”