Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Stating that the importance of standards for an economy is well known, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “If we are unable to maintain production quality and standards we will have no chance to compete against our international trade rivals. I would like to relay to you an experience I’ve had. I was in Kyrgyzstan a month ago. In my meetings with the Kyrgyz President Atambayev and representatives of the private sector, the one thing they emphasized was the view in Kyrgyzstan that Turkish goods mean quality, ‘There is no haggling when purchasing Turkish products, because they know they are buying first class goods when buying Turkish products.’ This is just one example. I know that the rest of the region has the same view as I’ve visited each several times.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that they were able to achieve this only because of entrepreneurs, with the hand of the private sector, stating that the TSE stamp which is the proof of quality for Turkish goods contributes greatly to this.

Drawing attention to three of TSE’s endeavors which they put great importance on, the TOBB President said, “The first is TSE’s cooperation with its global and regional counterparts. We wholly support this. The global trade volume in 2000 was 6 trillion USD. Today, it is 19 trillion USD. Turkey’s prosperity depends on its share of this wealth. That is why we must not only produce goods to a certain standard; we must be the ones setting standards. TSE has leapt forward in this field recently. TSE has entered into a series of partnerships in Islamic countries, EU countries, Asia and Africa. We think this is very important.

The second matter is TSE’s foray into cyber security. This is a very important subject. This age of information which we find ourselves in is both a great opportunity and a great threat to economies. Many analysts agree that the largest crises in the future will stem from information security lapses. This issue is very important for both our country and our companies.

Third, TSE’s endeavors to develop capacity in important sectors of our country such as automobiles, energy and logistics: This endeavor is very important for both lowering costs for our industrialists and R&D efforts. We must increase the number and quality of these attempts. The business community is still dependent on foreign sources for various certifications. It is very important that TSE determines these deficiencies and mobilizes to invest in them.”

Pointing out the increasing role of the private sector in TSE’s works, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Cooperation is paramount, especially in the field of standardization. TSE, with its mirror committees, must meet with the business community in order to determine their needs and grievances. We believe that but improving cooperation with the private sector will contribute to the formation of standards on a national and international platform. As the TOBB Board we are working to integrate our chambers and exchanges into the standard preparation procedure. I believe that with common purpose and cooperation, we can make Turkey a standard setter and make this an institution.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the private sector has needed a new industrial revolution for years and spoke on the matter of transitioning to high technology production, “The Minister has set Turkey on this path. The domestic product certification has been introduced to incentivize them in tenders. Most importantly, he always consults with the private sector before committing to a new step in the economic plan. He has always made sure to include us who are putting ourselves at risk. In this regard, our cooperation with one of the most important institutions in Turkey, TSE has increased. I would like to extend our gratitude to Minister Işık for his approach on behalf of the Turkish private sector.”

- Minister Işık

Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Işık stated that TSE serves as the kitchen, logistics center and infrastructure of industrial production.

Pointing out that TSE acts as a key for industrialists to enter into various markets worldwide, Işık stated that the institute has three primary functions in conducting standardization, ensuring the product and service security of the consumers and providing the testing-inspection-certification needed by the business community domestically and internationally. Işık went on to provide information in regards to the scope, scale and extent of TSE’s endeavors in these three functions.

Işık stated that for companies to compete on a global scale, they must provide goods and services conforming to international standards. Işık also drew attention to the fact that standards serve to lower costs, increase quality, institutional properties and branding for companies.

Işık said, “TSE ensures that goods and services in Turkey conform to international standards. However this isn’t enough for our country. Turkey must be active in the setting of standards as well. Countries involved in determining standards and technical regulations also direct global trade.”