Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Chambers and exchanges of the Şanlıurfa province and its counties held a joint assessment meeting. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu was a guest at the meeting attended by many chamber and exchange president and members as well as businessmen. In his speech Hisarcıklıoğlu touched on the point reached by TOBB and the opportunities offered today. Reporting that 233 chambers and exchanges have attained new buildings while 132 chambers and exchanges have renovated their service buildings, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have 5 star chambers and exchanges thanks to the accreditation system. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that there are 131 chambers and exchanges which have become accredited, providing services on par with the quality of the best chambers and exchanges of Europe.

Emphasizing that they have virtually undergone a revolution in mentality, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that chambers have become project generating, multi-lingual institutions. Pointing out the importance of the progress made so far, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that 73 exchanges have attained their own laboratories.

Stating that the Credit Guarantee Fund assists in solving matters of finance by becoming guarantor for establishments when they apply for credit, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the consultancy services provided by ABİGEM. Reporting that they have opened the way for a solution to the issue of unemployment as well as the need for qualified personnel with the UMEM Ability’10 Project, Hisarcıklıoğlu urged businessmen in need of qualified personnel to take advantage of this project which also lowers the costs for employment.

Reporting that the wait times at customs gates has been lowered to half of what they were prior to modernization, the TOBB President said, “This way, it’s as if we put 410 million TL per year back into the pockets of our members with the modernization of customs gates. This means we pay back the membership fees paid to us five times over.” Stating that they are preparing the BALO Project to connect Anatolia to the west, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they will lower transportation and shipping costs with this project, solving Anatolia’s problems in this regard. Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that there would be tariff freight passages to Europe.

- “Birds of a feather stick together”

Emphasizing unity and solidarity, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Remember that birds of a feather stick together. We’ve said that there is grace and prosperity in unity and so we acted in unison. If there is success to mention, it is the success of us all. Today, TOBB holds office as the Vice Chairman of EUROCHAMBRES and ICCI. This success belongs to us all.”

Saying that Turkey has great goals, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they want to enter the top 10 economies of the world. Stating that there can be no motivation without goals, the TOBB President said, “In 2023, the highest numbers of contractors will come out of Turkey; the most freight will be carried by Turkish logisticians; the most tourists will be hosted by Turkish hotels; Turkish retailers will saturate and clothe, not just Turkey but the whole region; Turkey will become the country which exports the most industrial goods to the highest number of countries with the widest variety of goods; we will feed the world with the agricultural goods we grow; Turkish brands will be preferred for their quality, not their price; international investors will queue to form partnerships with Turkish companies.

Mark this well: As long as we do not let conflict come between us, we can achieve all of this. Anatolia is the secret. We believe in it, Anatolia has risen. Anatolian tigers are the role models now. Now, it is our goal to make Anatolia leap ahead.”

- Urfa’s great success

Praising Urfa for its economic successes, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Urfa will reach its 2023 goal of 5 billion USD export volume. Stating that 25,000 tourists are visiting Şanlıurfa, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This is a small number for us. We must set ourselves a goal for tourism as well. I said 200,000. But you raised that number to a million. Well done you!”

- What are the new projects and goals?

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have begun to help our members reach finances with low interest rates. We are working towards lowering the rates to single digits. We are working on checks in regards to collection of dues. For now, we are working on collection insurance. We are setting up a legislative advisory center which you can call and get information from with just one call. Forty public institutions and establishments provide grants but unfortunately SMEs are unable to reach these. For that reason, we are establishing an incentive advisory center. We are working to strengthen the structure of our chambers and exchanges with up to date information regarding everything you could need on their members. There will be an academic advisor in every province. We will kick off the Chambers and Exchanges Academy. We will host 10,000 council members at the Academy.

In the field of economics, we have 4 new projects. Vocational training will be handled on a provincial and county scale will be under the control of chambers and exchanges. We are setting up entrepreneurship centers. We will guide those who have ideas and projects in setting up companies. We will bring the capital and ideas together. We will establish centers to open up our chambers and exchanges in every one. We have the address information of all of our 1.5 million members. We will enact these all at the same time. As we actualize our goals, Turkey will profit.”

- Şanlıurfa presidents’ announcement in support of Hisarcıklıoğlu

Şanlıurfa chamber and exchange presidents also thanked TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu for his work and voiced their support him, come what may, and that they always want to work with him.