Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Contributors to Anamur Award Ceremony hosted by Anamur TSO Chair Feridun Torunoğlu was attended by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, TOBB Board Member Şahin Bilgiç, TOBB Hospital Board Chair Şadan Eren, GTİ Inc. Board Chair Arif Parmaksız, UMAT Inc. Board Chair Hüsnü Ünal and many chamber and exchange presidents as well as businessmen from surrounding provinces and counties.

In his speech, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the importance of agriculture and branding for Anamur. “There were no strawberries here 15 years ago. Now, Anamur grows 40% of all strawberries in Turkey. 51% of all banana production is here. Anamur bananas are a brand name. Always brand your business,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu recalling the bag made from banana fibers presented by Anamur TSO Chair to the President of the Republic as a gift, “This is a display of how versatile of an economic product bananas are and an extraordinary display of innovation.”

Drawing attention to the fertility of Anamur’s soil, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it is a class 3 incentive zone and emphasized the significance of being a seaside region and a class 3 incentive zone. He went on to urge that the residents demand sea and airports from the politicians who would soon be visiting to ask for their votes, that without these, investors would be difficult to draw.

- Anamur’s goal is to be a 5-star chamber

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Anamur is working towards becoming a 5-star chamber with service on par with any chamber in Europe, going on to congratulate Chairman Feridun for his vision. Pointing out that there are no woman council members in Anamur, Hisarcıklıoğlu urged that women entrepreneurs and business people be encouraged to take part. Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Anamur is 192^nd in terms of socio-economic development among 842 counties in Turkey.

Pointing out that unity brings grace and prosperity; dissent brings anguish, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the success of most brand provinces is the cooperation of its residents from public administration to municipalities to the business community.

- Entrepreneurship is the most beneficent calling

Emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the need for increasing Turkey’s entrepreneurs, that the ratio of women entrepreneurs is only 7% while half of the population is made up of women.

Stressing that the most beneficent of people are those beneficent unto others, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that providing employment and sustenance is a most beneficent act; that each entrepreneur provides employment to 10 people, “It would be impossible to provide employment to a million people each year through the government. That is why we need entrepreneurs.”

- Anamur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Feridun Torunoğlu

Anamur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Feridun Torunoğlu stated that they’ve been providing since 1965 and that their efforts for accreditation are underway along with KOSGEB backed entrepreneurship courses.

Feriden drew attention to the issues such as the preservation of subterranean water sources, alternative agriculture products, increasing tourism capacity, the restoration of ancient ruins as well as the matter of Anamur ports and the opening of a customs gate at Anamur.