Türkiye Odalar ve Borsalar Birliği

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the country and nation would not be destroyed as long as there are such valiant people fighting for the motherland at the cost of their lives.

Pointing out that Safranbolu is a UNESCO World Heritage city, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Safranbolu is among the 20 protected cities in the world. I congratulate you for having preserving our history and culture, and for achieving success around the world. Turkey's first glass observation deck was built here as well. Saffron and Safranbolu Delight are famous. It's also geographically marked. I congratulate you for preserving your values.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the saffron was as valuable as gold and was sold with grams.

Hisarcıklıoğlu gives information about Safranbolu and Karabük economy. "The number of companies opened in Safranbolu and Karabük in 2017 according to 2016 increased by 11% and employment increased by 15%. That means there is hope here. Karabük and Safranbolu are well above the average of Turkey in both indicators.”

Stating that Safranbolu CCI continues to work for the development and enrichment of Safranbolu economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have a woman entrepreneur in the chamber board; I congratulate you for that as well. If Turkey is to prosper, we need to increase our entrepreneurs. Incorporate recruitment of women into your work. If our goal is to be like Japan and Germany today, we should be as entrepreneurial as they are. That's why we need to encourage our young people and women to be entrepreneurs.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu talked about two innovations brought to life with the chambers, said, “These requests came from our chambers. Every member had to come to the chamber to register. The digital transformation has passed. You can now get the document you need from your home, your office, online, without having to come to the chamber.

We said we need to facilitate the establishment of companies to increase our entrepreneurial count. Now, for company establishments, our Chambers serve as a one-stop-shop. All setup operations will take place in our Chambers. You can build the company in 1 hour. We reduced the number of transactions from 7 to 1. We reduced the cost from 2,250TRY to 650TRY. This is how we serve our members.”

- TOBB contribution for Safranbolu CCI new service building

Stating that Safranbolu CCI has done its part for the development and enrichment of Safranbolu, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I myself this witness in Ankara. From the President to the Management, from the Council to the Secretary General, from the academic advisor to all employees: thank you all.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu responded positively to the request for help with the new service building and said they would be of assistance as TOBB.

The TOBB President stated that they’ve helped its members in regards to financing problems in 2017, reaching a total of 681,000 companies with the TOBB Respite Credit, KOSGEB and Credit Guarantee Fund (CGF). Hisarcıklıoğlu wanted his members to continue to benefit from KGF.

TOBB President announced that they will launch TOBB Respite Credits again with Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım after March 15^th.

Stating that Turkey must find employment for 1 million people every year, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the private sector must invest and expand its business for economic growth.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they provided 1.5 million additional jobs with the employment mobilization and that Karabük also created 2-3 additional jobs per company.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the mobilization and incentives for employment will also continue in 2018, “The employer will continue to receive the minimum wage support of 100 TL per month in 2018. When you hire, SSK premium and all taxes are paid by the government for a full year. You will only pay the salary. So it will be 1600TRY from you and 800TRY tax + premium from the government. Moreover, this incentive will not only be in effect in just 2018 but for 3 years.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the index of ease of business is important for local and foreign investors; “Turkey is at a position unbecoming of its potential. We are among the world's 20 largest economies, but we rank 60^th in ease of business index. Why don’t people want to be entrepreneurs? There are many obstacles to doing business. We met with our government. You will see, in 2 years Turkey will be among the top 20 countries in ease of business index. The law which was passed by the Parliament is revolutionary. According to this law, more than 100 items were reviewed and changed such as establishment procedures, execution and bankruptcy legislation, construction permits and title deeds, municipal applications, infrastructure permits, foreign trade transactions, access to finance, tax payments. For example, with the amendment to be made in the Building Inspection Law, the number of necessary signatures in the building permit is reduced from 18 to 1. In addition, Contingent and SSI declarations are merged. On average, a company would give 40-45 tax declarations per year. Now this number has been reduced to 12. One important reform comes for VAT. We have also worked with the Ministry of Finance for the repayment of VAT that the business world will receive from the state. All these actions are working their way through the Parliament. Hopefully soon will be legislated.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that there are troubles of course, stating that they have the will and ability to overcome all through unity of and solidarity with common reason and dialogue.

Safranbolu CCI Council Speaker Ahmet Şahin stated that there are talks with the governorship and the municipality and for the health profession school and said that they look forward to contributions from TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu for the project.

Safranbolu CCI Chairman Ali Sami Acar reminded that Safranbolu CCI is a 5-star accredited chamber. Acar asked TOBB for help in building its new service building.

- Condolatory visit

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu made a condolatory visit to the family of Ömer Bilal Akpınar, who was martyred in Operation Olive Branch in Afrin before the meeting.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also visited the Safranbolu District Governor Dr. Fatih Ürkmezer.