Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The protocol ceremony was attended by the TOBB Board Vice President Faik Yavuz, TOBB Board Member Fahrettin Akyıl, Batman Governor Yılmaz Arslan, Batman Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Osman Nasıroğlu and Batman Trade Exchange President Arif Güneş.

In his speech, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the best way to construct the future is to invest in education. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The world’s most powerful force is neither the atomic bomb, nor subterranean riches. The greatest treasure of the world is neither gold nor diamonds. A country’s real power is its educated people. The dreams of a country, its goals and truths are determined by its educated people.” The TOBB President went on, “We want to be one of the 10 biggest economies of the world. Then let us look at the per capita production of our competitors. A person in Germany produces 85,000 USD added value yearly; 105,000 USD in the USA. We only achieve 35,000 USD. What is the difference? Why do they produce more added value? Because they have people with quality education.”

- The magic is in quality education

Emphasizing that the only magic to it is quality education, Hisarcıklıoğlu went on: “Turkey’s transition to high technology is only possible through quality education. It is fortunate to see that in recent years the budget of the National Education Ministry and thereby resources set aside for R&D.

It would be unrealistic to expect an economic return from R&D investments in the long term without a prior investment in human resources. In order to transition to higher quality production mentality, in order to be one of the top ten economies of the world, we require a workforce of higher education level. Having said that, we have a great advantage to this end. Our greatest asset is our young population. Moving ahead with this understanding, we have taken on the responsibility of supporting education at every level, starting from the elementary grade! We have spent 78 million TL in the construction of schools in 35 provinces.”

- Hisarcıklıoğlu praises Batman

Stating how lucky the residents of Batman, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “They are the envy of the other 80 provinces. The treasury is trusted to a very highly regarded Batman resident.”

Stating that the Batman born Treasury Minister Mehmet Şimşek is an exemplary tale of success, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The Minister was born in a village to a poor family; he cultivated himself, commanded global finance markets and became the Treasury Minister of this country. This tale of success is the best proof that our country is one of opportunity.”

- There is prosperity where peace is to be found

Stating that peace and harmony open the doors to opportunity, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said that where there is peace, there is harmony; where there is harmony, there is trade; where there is trade, there is prosperity.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Batman is truly blessed. There is petroleum, fertile soil watered by the Dicle, the historic Hasankeyf, a miracle of nature with over a thousand caves and its historic remnants. The city has progressed significantly with the investments made in recent years and the developing industry. Batman is 15th in Turkey in terms of industry. The number of its organized industry zones has reached 3 in a short time. There is a great dynamism to the city, a great potential. That is why we put such great importance on the Batman. The young population is very numerous. There is unemployment and the terror attacks harm the economy of the region. The only way to permanently solve these problems is through education. That is why we have decided to invest in this city.”

- “Businessmen don’t only aim to profit themselves”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that as businessmen they don’t only aim to benefit themselves and stated that they aim to benefit the country as well. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We grew up with the saying ‘I’ll be a slave for 40 years to the person who teaches me a single letter.’ We still pursue to pay this debt. We are like the businessmen of no other countries. We are first of all in love with our country! We are not alone in our efforts. I would like to thank the Governor for his precious contributions to the allocation of land for the school. I would also like to thank the Chamber and Exchange Presidents of Batman who have expended great efforts to contribute to the business community. They are working to enrich Batman with not a single centime for themselves. I congratulate them from the bottom of my heart. I thank the Treasury Minister who has been with us all the way. It is my wish that our investments bring prosperity to Batman.”

- Treasury Ministgr Mehmet Şimşek

Treasury Minister Mehmet Şimşek stated in his speech that the rumors that the ministry computer system has been hacked are false and that the central computers are untouched.

Stating that the budget for education which used to be 9.4% 10 years ago, is now considered at 17% for 2013.

The Minister stated that they undersigned a very beneficial project with TOBB and said, “Education is our future.”

- The Second Batman Organized Industry Zone

Şimşek said, “Batman has the infrastructure, the incentives, the educated people. The only thing missing is harmony. Batman has the potential to rise quickly in the region. And it is headed that way. Ten years ago, Batman had an export volume of 500,000-600,000 USD. Hopefully this year it will reach 100 million USD. This still isn’t enough. I believe that it can quickly exceed billions.”

Minister Şimşek stated that although Turkey has no petroleum, it has a strong human resource available. That there are 17 million students in elementary and middle school and that they are an investment made into the future.
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