Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that he is in Balikesir to participate in the “Technology Meetings” program jointly organized by Balıkesir Chamber of Commerce and Balıkesir Chamber of Industry. Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked them for their hospitality.

Governor Yazıcı expressed Balıkesir’s request for a school on occasion of TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu’s visit. Expressing pleasure in hosting TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu in the heart of the province, Governor Yazıcı, thanked Hisarcıklıoğlu for his kind visit. Governor Yazıcı said, “Our province is fortunate with its fertile lands; historical, cultural and natural beauty and loved by everybody who visits temporarily or settles down permanently. In terms of tourism, our city boasts of nature tourism, historical tourism and thermal tourism areas; Balıkesir and its districts can boast of the highest quality curative springs our country in terms of their physical and chemical composition as well as the richness of their thermal resources.”

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu presented Governor Yazıcı with a copy of the original version of the Book of Dede Korkut reproduced from the originals in Dresden and the Vatican.

Referring to the fact that traditions, cultural and historical heritage are the real guides of the tribes, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “No civilizations can go forth without traditions, without national identity. Of course change is important. It is imperative that we perceive and grasp zeitgeist. Ideas are the sons of the past, the mothers of the future; all prisoners of time.Societies which do not know the past cannot walk towards the future with solid steps.”

At the end of the visit TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Governor Yazidi for his hospitality before leaving the governorship.

- Visit to the Mayoral Office

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu also visited Mayor Ahmet Edip Uğur. Hisarcıklıoğlu, first examining the vision projects of the Metropolitan Municipality exhibited on the ground floor, received information about the projects from Mayor Uğur. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that vision projects will add value to Balikesir and congratulated Mayor Uğur.

Afterwards, Hisarcıklıoğlu presented Mayor Uğur with a copy of the original version of the Book of Dede Korkut. Mayor Uğur also presented Hisarcıklıoğlu with commemorative coins and olive oil. Also taking part in the visit were Chamber of Industry Chair Ismail Uğur and Chamber of Commerce Chair Fahri Ermişler.