Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

During his speech at the opening of the ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked President Gül and Minister Yazıcı for their contributions to the Turkish private sector.

Stating that they put great emphasis on unity and solidarity, loyalty and gratitude, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In this regard, we are presenting the various delegates who have fulfilled a certain period of time with Certificates of Honor. A tradition in our community, this ceremony is held during the day prior to our General Assembly in May. However, with respect to the Soma catastrophe, we were unable to do it on the 22^nd of May this year. We delayed the ceremony and began an aid campaign instead. This campaign garnered great support. The total of donations reaching 16.8 million TRY was presented to the relevant public institution with the Prime Minister standing witness. I extend my gratitude to the Chambers/Exchanges, business community and citizens for embracing the legacy of our mining martyrs.”

- “Transformation of 30 years”

Stating that it is a truth everyone is privy to, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey has changed greatly in the last 30 years. The discovery of the private sector by the late Özal as well as the reform and stability steps taken started in during the President Abdullah Gül’s run as Prime Minister as well as throughout the current PM Erdoğan’s run, Turkey has made great advances. Throughout this period, the Turkish private sector showed the world what it is capable of. The Turkish private sector proved its mettle.”

- Thanking the Certificate of Honor recipients

Thanking the Certificate of Honor recipient business community representatives, Hisarcıklıoğlu “They were producing long before production and commerce were discussed in the country. They set foot on this path when there was no prestige to being a businessman. They showed us what an honest businessman was. They did the heavy lifting as well as taking on roles in various capacities as a part of the TOBB community, taking on the burdens of the private sector. They worked to open the way for the private sector without any pay, just as anybody else in this community. Thanks to their efforts the number of entrepreneurs has increased in Turkey. As the number of businessmen and women increased, we became richer, our country prospered. That is how this story of success was written.”

- Gratitude for President Gül from the private sector

Stating that the private sector owes a great debt to the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “From the first day you came to office –during your Ministry, Prime Ministry and Presidency – you brought deep change to governmental workings in regards to the private sector. You made private sector focused economy official policy. You’ve never withheld support and interest from our community. You are the first President of Turkey to attend a TOBB Board Meeting.”

Extending his thanks on behalf of the Turkish private sector community for his innumerable contributions to the development of the private sector in Turkey, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We will strive to make this country richer and its people more prosperous – just as we have in the past. Allah willing, we will bring this country in among the top 10 economies of the world. We believe that Allah dismisses no effort.”