Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Stating that the world is undergoing a period of comprehensive change, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that whereas national borders defined countries before, now it is the internet.

Emphasizing the fact we are all parts of a single whole, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “That is why structures like the EU are becoming more attractive. Look at Europe with the EU and the USA with NAFTA. These have achieved economic success. Now, the USA is forming a new partnership with the Pacific region under the name of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The EU is also working on forming the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.  All of these mean one this: The scope of competition for our companies has grown from their cities and country to include the whole world.”

- “The road to development and prosperity is through the private sector.”

Drawing attention to the fact that this is also a great opportunity, the TOBB President said, “The whole world is our market. If we want to utilize this opportunity we must create a business and investment environment on par with global standards. This is the reality accepted by the whole world.The road to development and prosperity is through the private sector. The way to strengthen the private sector, to enable it to stand firm in global competition is to level the playing field.”

Stating that Turkey is the largest industrial production power between Italy and China, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that the private sector has created 5 million extra jobs in 7 years; accomplished despite higher employment costs and highest cost of petroleum than their competition.

Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined that the fact that the private sector provides employment to more than 15 million people and said, “If we want our people, our children to be able to find employment, to have better lives, we must strengthen our private sector. We must provide a better business and investment environment. That is only possible with a properly functioning judicial system.”

- Law means trust

Emphasizing that law means trust, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that if trust and confidence are present, the real sector would be more inclined to take risks with investment and production.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that EU norms are both important and necessary; pointing out that they are no strangers to these values with that justice is firmly entrenched in their culture and beliefs.

Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the fact that the private sector’s desire to have a properly functioning judicial system and stressed that fact that the rule of law is just as necessary as food and water.

Stating that courts and judges are forced to address ever increasing amounts of work each day, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “According to recent statistics, an average case takes 311 days to reach completion in Trade Courts, 381 days in Business Courts and 425 days in Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights. This length of time damages everyone. Alternative resolution methods must be considered for speeding up this process. Mediation must become mandatory for cases under set values while arbitration should be mandatory in personal cases. We’ve discussed these matters with you comprehensively in Antalya. Hopefully, the new judicial year will bring with it procedures to alleviate the judicial systems burden, with support from the Parliament.”