Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at Ankara's Chamber of Commerce's “Best of Ankara Award Ceremony” attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, emphasized that the meeting is a day of pride for the business community of Ankara, pointing out that President Erdoğan has a business background, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “For this reason, we share our problems, our troubles easily with him; we always feel his support, he is an interpreter for our feelings, and instantly produces solutions. In just 2017, we have taken 3 important steps together.”

- Important steps taken in 2017

Hisarcıklıoğlu described the steps taken in the fields of ​​employment, finance and domestic automobile production: “In employment, we stated that there is a need for something new to encourage and reward the private sector. President Erdoğan immediately gave instructions at the TOBB Economy Summit in February. Employment mobilization began. There was a historical amount of support. On this count, we increased employment very quickly. Allah willing, next month we will reward the most successful entrepreneurs in employment. Secondly, in financing, we stated the need to mobilize the banks. Our President has opened the way for us. With the government, our projects gave SMEs a breath of like. The gears of the economy began to turn. Chambers-Exchanges in 81 provinces and TOBB pooled all their resources. With banks, we agreed on a loan rate of 9.9% per annum. Thus, we have had the lowest interest rate applied to commercial loans so far. Our government, via KOSGEB, provided a business loan of 50,000 TRY with 3-year maturity and zero interest. The credit guarantee volume of the Credit Guarantee Fund, KGF, of which TOBB is a founding partner, has been increased with the support of the Government. With these projects, 653,000 companies in Turkey were able to use bank loans. We now want to see similar steps from our banks. The President has not left us alone. We raised our voices against high interest rates together under his leadership. In our 73^rd General Assembly, the President issued us a call. Turkey's car should be made by TOBB’s community. We said, 'If you’re with us, we'll do it.’ We’ve been busy working and we found 5 volunteers. We are excited to be able to achieve a first in our history. I hope the first prototype will emerge in 2019. Commercial sales will start in 2021. We do not see this as just a car project. Turkey's automotive project will also ensure our country's industrial and technological transformation.

- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

In his speech, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “It is impossible for a state with weak economy to invest in infrastructure and other services to satisfy the nation. It is not possible for such a state to have a strong army.”

Erdoğan said that ATO continues to work as an institution that serves the citizens of Ankara, its businessmen and tradesmen in a determined manner. Erdoğan said that the chamber administration brings together all the segments who love the nation and that the results they’ve achieved with their pluralistic structure closely followed and appreciated. Erdoğan, "I thank you for showing that Ankara is a strong competitor in not just bureaucracy, but also production, enterprise, export, employment.”

Underlining that a strong economy makes a strong state, President Erdoğan continued:

“It is impossible for a state with a weak economy to invest in infrastructure or other services to satisfy the nation, and it is impossible for such a state to have a strong army. Government policy is decisive in the economy, but the economy takes its real strength from the nation, and a part of the value added that the nation produces through hard work, production and diligence goes to the treasury of the state.

- Customs and Trade Minister Tüfenkci

Bülent Tüfenkci, the Minister of Customs and Trade, said, “Our tradesmen and traders said yes to the Presidential Government System prevent any more plots being played upon our country, and I hope that in 2019 they will act again as one nation, one flag, one country and one state.”

Tüfenkci stated that Ankara is a city of leading sectors with its entrepreneurs, industrialists, traders, tradesmen and universities.

- ATO Chairman Baran

Gürsel Baran, Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), said, “We know that we should work with all of our friends of different political opinion, without hesitation, without rest, under one flag, with unconditional independence, united in cooperation for this country's independence and future, better tomorrows.”

- ATO Parliament Speaker Gürgür

ATO Parliament Speaker Nuri Gürgür reminded that the companies awarded not only made a profit but also contributed to the economy of the country, “Entrepreneurs need more than ever to not fall behind in these races where global competition is most concentrated in economic and commercial areas.”