Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Attending the foundation laying ceremony of the 24 classroom TOBB Sakarya Girls’ Industry Vocational High School in Serdivan county of Sakarya, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the unity and solidarity of the opinion leaders of Sakarya, which has come to be among the top 10 developed cities of Turkey in the last 16 years, contributes greatly to the city.

Emphasizing that underlying this success despite the devastating earthquake of August 17^th, 1999, is unity and solidarity, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that development can be achieved through proper education. Stating that he has been asked many times why he focuses so heavily on education, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I am a businessman. I am the president of the Turkish business world. I look at each investment with loss and profit in mind. There is no guarantee of profit. Every investment has risks unique to itself, however, education is the exception; it is investment into the future, the city and the country. That is the reason education is the most important field to be investing in.”

Stating that they put great importance on investing in education in 81 provinces as the TOBB Board of Directors, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the TOBB Sakarya Girls’ Industry Vocational High School holds special importance for his personally.

Pointing out that Sakarya is the only city to produce automobiles with 0% production faults among 27 countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the production of the domestic car would suit Sakarya well and went on, “Sakarya would do this best. Sakarya is the joy and pride of Turkey. Its 7 OIZs are hard at work. They bring in 2.5 billion USD in exports. When you look at Sakarya’s exports, you see that it is 97% industrial goods and they sell to the global markets with the hardest competition.”

Stating that Sakarya markets its products to the most developed and richest countries of the world Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Sakarya produces our national tank. Sakarya produces our national train. Allah willing, we will produce our domestic automobile in Sakarya as well.  Sakarya will employ more women. The relative increase of women employment annually is an average of 9% for Turkey while Sakarya reaches 15+. In this regard, Sakarya deserves this school and more. Our girls in Sakarya will get the education they deserve.”

- Other speakers

Sakarya Governor Hüseyin Avni Coş voiced his gratitude to all institutions and organizations which support education and expressed his wish that the school is built and begins education as soon as possible.

Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SATSO) Chair Mahmut Kösemusul stated that they are working diligently to contribute everything they can to the development and transformation of Sakarya and will continue to do so.

Following the speeches, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, Governor Coş and protocol members laid the foundations of the TOBB Sakarya Girls’ Industry Vocational High School.

Attending the ceremony were TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Sakarya Governor Hüseyin Avni Coş, Sakarya MPs Mustafa İsen, Ali İnci,Engin Özkoç and Zihni Açba, TOBB Board Vice President Halim Mete, SATSO Chair Mahmut Kösemusul, Sakarya TB Chair Cevdet Mete, Akyazı TSO Chair Zafer Şinasi Bayraktar, Akyazı TB Chair Ali Şener Bayraktar and guests.

Following the ceremony, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the Sakarya Province Chambers and Exchanges Joint Council Meeting held at the Sakarya TSO and met with members of the council.