Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Organized by the Kayseri Chamber of Commerce (KTO), “The Future in Kayseri Awards Ceremony” which awards the representatives of the business world who invest in Kayseri was held at the Kayseri Ommar Hotel, attended by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the Customs and Commerce Minister Hayati Yazıcı.

In his speech TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Kayseri is a trade city as well as a role model for Turkey. Stating that the city has written its own story of success, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In the last 5 years while the world struggled with economic crises, Turkey penned a story of success. While 5 million people lost their jobs in Europe, over 5 million people found gainful employment in Turkey. Employment increased by 40% in Kayseri while at the same time employment of women increased by 72%. The number of new establishments increased by 46%. If there was no hope, no desire, would people open new establishments?”

The TOBB President drew attention to the fact that employment has increased three-fold in the last 10 years in Turkey, while increasing by four times in Kayseri with the profitability of the companies there increasing by twelve times. “Kayseri is a city cast in the mold of commerce,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and pointed out that those receiving awards came mostly from poverty. Stressing that Kayseri is also a role model for education in Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that 85% of the school’s in the province were built by philanthropists.

- Infrastructure necessary for tourism

Touching on the importance of tourism, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that tourists coming to Erciyes for skiing would be well off, and that everyone would benefit from the revitalization of tourism. Pointing out the importance of summit tourism as well, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “If we are aiming for 4 million tourists, then the airport must also be ready for this. We must connect with highways. Tourism cannot exist without transportation. Wouldn’t a high velocity train suit Kayseri?” expressing their expectations of the central government to this end.

Customs and Commerce Minister Hayati Yazıcı stated that commerce has permeated the spirit, soil and soul of the city.

Stating that they put the individual at the center of all their efforts, Yazıcı emphasized the importance of human values.

Stating that Turkey’s greatest treasure is stability and trust, Yazıcı said that the activities which fill up the treasury are those which occur in times of stability and trust.

Touching on their efforts to facilitate the work of entrepreneurs, Yazıcı said, “In our philosophy, it is not the government which undertakes trade; it is you. The role of the government in a world of sharp competition is enabling entrepreneurs. We’ve passed a law for the protection of consumers which will go into effect in May. We are working on a bill to regulate retail, planned to go into be passed following the elections.”

KTO Board President Mahmut Hiçyılmaz reported that they plan to open trade offices in target countries with potential in order to increase exports, with efforts to open the first office in northern Iraq underway.

Following the speeches, 35 businessmen from other cities who invested in Kayseri were presented with their awards.