Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu was a guest at KTO’s monthly council meeting. In his speech he stated that, “The only country with 11% growth is Turkey. No other country has growth numbers in double digits.”

- Prosperity comes from unity and solidarity

Stating that Turkey’s economy is in top shape Hisarcıklıoğlu went on:“The growth in the first quarter of 2011 is a world record. The only country with 11% growth is Turkey. No other country has growth numbers in double digits. China and India are behind us. We are on the verge of becoming the tiger of the region as a result of the political and economic upheaval. I pray our unity and solidarity is not disturbed. We must all support this. Grace and prosperity cannot be achieved with anything but unity and solidarity. This does not mean we must all think the same way. We are all created diversely. We will all think differently. We will show our diversity. We will do this without fighting, but through discussion and consensus. We have set ourselves a goal and hopefully this will become the goal of the whole country. Turkey has grown by 5% each year since 1946 until 2010 on average. 5% growth is not enough for us. ‘Why isn’t it?’ Because 750,000 people join the workforce each year. By growing 5% each year we cannot decrease unemployment. The minimum we can afford to grow each year is 7%. 7% growth means jobs for 750,000 people that join the workforce every year. Ten years from now that number will be a million, That is why we must grow by 7%. Success and failure are dependent on growth numbers.”

- Intermediate goods import warning

Talking about Turkey’s goal to become one of the 10 largest economies in the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that we would need to surpass 6-7 countries in the process, “For this reason, we must grow triple what Europe grows, quadruple that of the USA.”

Stating that there were problems as well, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that intermediate goods imports have surpassed the sum of all exports excluding energy, with the intermediate goods imports increasing by 33% last year and that intermediate goods production must be encouraged.

“We want the same conditions to produce in as are present in Mexico, America, Italy, China or India. This is my natural right. If Turkey is going to prosper, this is the way it will happen.”

Observing that Konya is a city of SMBs as well as a grain silo, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that there are 32,000 SMBs present in the city and that Konya is a prime candidate for industrial and commercial as well as being an agricultural hub.

- New Constitution and reforms

Stating that they always emphasize that these will only be possible with a new constitution, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I’ve said this in every platform since 2000. Thankfully, it has become a consensus. A new constitution is a must if we are to change the system.”

- We are descendants of Mevlana, do not exclude anyone

Stating that a tax and public administration expenditure reforms need to be enacted, Hisarcıklıoğlu went on:
“As long as public administration expenditure is not reformed we have no way of covering its expenses no matter how much tax we pay. Reforms on income and institutions taxes must be made. Without proper tax reforms there can be no strong economy or quality democracy. We must work in unity and solidarity. We do not have the luxury of not liking each other, of excluding people because of their nationality or belief or thoughts. We are descendants of Mevlana, embrace everyone and show them love.”

- Visit to Dist. Governor Doğan

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu also visited District Governor Aydın Nezih Doğan in his office as part of his Konya visit..
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