Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey is entering a critical period in the next two years, that the unity and solidarity of the country needs to be preserved and that the most important duty falls to the business world, that they consider themselves duty-bound.

Stating that the elections in chambers have been conducted in competition but with the end of the elections, cooperation must take the place of competition, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the success of TOBB depends on the cooperation of all 360 chambers at every step.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are living the most important days of the Republic and that in the next two years are the local elections, the presidential election, the resolution process and the new constitution process while the problems in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Egypt are becoming internal problems, in addition to these, 2015 is important in regards to the Armenian issue and he went on:

“Ten of Turkey’s important issues will come up within the next two years. There is only one solution for these. The only way to prevent economic loss is to discuss these issues. We cannot relinquish unity and solidarity while discussing these. We shouldn’t say, ‘I know’, but discuss things and maintain our unity and solidarity. Traders and industrialists are the representatives of peace. The people who kept France and Germany together through two world wars were businessmen. If we want peace, prosperity and plenty for this country, we must work to preserve its unity and solidarity. Just like the businessmen in Germany and France in WWII, we have a duty as the cement of society, the representative of the middle column, to keep Turkey together. If there are problems, they will reflect on the economy.”

As a result of the decision made by USA’s FED, local currencies in all developing countries have begun to lose value while inflation and interest rates have begun to climb, reported Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on:

“This isn’t just happening here, we additionally have a current deficit problem. The way to overcome these is to enact structural reforms. We must solve all problems which prevent obstacles to business starting with the retail legislature as well as education and tax reforms. This cannot be done without structural reforms. If we are able to focus on these, Turkey will be able to reach its 2023 goals. We must do these things in order to avoid being negatively impacted by scarcity of currency in the global economy. We must lessen the perception of risk. We will fulfill our duty to this end. The Turkish business world has supported the Anatolian economy in the last 10 years to get it up and running. Now the goal is to get it sprinting forward.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are anticipating joyous news from Argentina in regards to the 2020 Olympics, of which İstanbul is a candidate while at the same time İzmir is a candidate for EXPO 2020, and that if both of these organizations are won Turkey will have an unprecedented marketing opportunity.

Afterwards, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu visited the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO).

Greeted by the TOBB Board Vice President and EBSO Board President Ender Yorgancılar and the members of the board, Hisarcıklıoğlu signed the memorial ledger of the Chamber.