Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Eskişehir is a city of agriculture, industry and high technology, stating that it is also the second most habitable city in Turkey.

Drawing attention to Eskişehir’s significance in regards to the education sector as well, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Eskişehir is Turkey’s heart in terms of aviation and railed systems. Eskişehir is one of the most prominent cities in terms of exports. Eskişehir sells most of its exports to the USA and the EU. It’s not easy to sell goods to prosperous countries. Eskişehir has an industry which competes on the global arena.”

Touching on the issue of minimum wage which is very prominent in Turkey’s mind at present, Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the fact that they are not opposed to a higher minimum wage.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that there are various issues affecting employers as well, “At the moment, I’m paying my employees 1,500TRY, but only 1,000TRY goes into their pockets. Why would I object to another 300TRY going into my employee’s pocket? Them earning more means they will also be spending more.” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey is the top country in the world for the amount of burdens placed on an employer for employing people. “All that we want is to compete on equal footing with our global competitors.”

Also touching on the issue of stamp tax, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that this is a tax unheard of anywhere else in the world and urged that it be revoked.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu touched on the fact that machinery investment levels are below those seen in 2011 in regards to the investment incentives.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is evident that incentives must be reorganized with regards to sectors on a provincial and county basis. It should also be structured in such a way so as not to provide unfair advantage to those already in production. This is necessary for a new incentive model. Regions must diversify. You can’t just give all regions the same incentives. That is the reason we have three times the capacity for grinding wheat as we have actually producing wheat. This is wasteful. These resources belong to us all collectively.”

- Eskişehir Governor Tuna

Eskişehir Governor Güngör Azim Tuna stated that Eskişehir, the home of Turkey’s first heavy industry establishment, has potential for great leaps head.

Tuna stressed the importance of such issues as automotive, textile, furniture, food, machinery, metals, ceramics, aerospace, rail systems, marble and construction, employment, exports and added value in order to achieve the country’s goals for 2023.

- Other speakers

Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce Chair Metin Güler, Eskişehir Chamber of Industry Chair Savaş Özaydemir and Eskişehir Commodity Exchange Chair Ömer Zeydan provided information regarding the efforts and endeavors of their respective chambers/exchange.

Also attending the meeting were Eskişehir PMs Harun Karacan and Utku Çakırözer, TOBB Board Treasurer Faik Yavuz, GTİ Co. Inc. Chair Arif Parmaksız, TOBB ETU Hospital Chair Şadan Eren, Anatolian University Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Gündoğan and Eskişehir Osmangazi University Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Gönen as well as many guests.