Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Council Meeting of TOBB Trade and Industry Chambers hosted by TOBB President M. Rifat held in TOBB Twin Towers by the participation of Bülent Tüfenkci Minister of Custom and Trade.

During his speech Hisarcıklıoğlu said that thanks to the support and incentives provided by the state Turkey achieved a growth exceeding world standards.

Stating that 7.4 percent economic growth had been achieved as of first 9 months and within industrial growth achieved 3 times comparing last year, Hisarcıklıoğlu told "In 2016 industrial production increase was in 2 percent level. This year we have reached to 6 percent. We see that incentives provided by our government has not been wasted for nothing but energised reel sector. There is one more indication in relation with this. In 11 months usage of cheque has been increased. It has gone up from 708 billion lira to 722 billion lira but also thanks to 2-D barcoded cheque the number of bounces cheques has dropped. It has reduced from 27 billion lira to 16 billion lira. The relief within the market also reflect to this area."

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that comparing to last year 55 billion lira more worth of investment had been carried out and the most powerful investment increase of last two years was experienced in this quarter. Stating that as the community they have kept their promise to the President for employment campaign Hisarcıklıoğlu continued as follows:

"In exportation this year we have reach the total volume as achieved in whole 2016, in 11 months. Our Minister of Customs and Trade has a great contribution in our herein success. Thanks to his determination to reduce custom procedure times and costs, out foreign trade gained speed. All these show us that despite all the internal and external obstacles that we faced Turkey’s economy and our real sector are solid and dynamic."

-Coming year shall be better than 2017

Stating that they are targeting to display similar performance in the coming year, Hisarcıklıoğlu said "Certainly there are some difficulties. For example increases in both interest rates and foreign exchanges put pressure on real sector, increase finance burden of the firms. We believe that support for such matters will be provided to the real sector. Yet another important issue is that yesterday I was in dün Şırnak, Cizre and Silopi.  Businessmen within that region are awaiting in hope for the announcement of application result for Attraction Centres Programme and incentives to be put into practice."

Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined that the expectation for global growth and trade this year would be better than this year command the market. Asking for continuation of employment, production and commercial incentives in order to Turkey would be able to get share from the growth Hisarcıklıoğlu said followings:

"In 2016 40 billion USD cash inflow to bonds of developing countries. In 2017 this figure increased to 80 billion USD which also in 2018 such increase may continue. Why is this important? Because next year as public and private sector, we need external source worth of around 210 billion USD. Therefore if we will have growth tale then we shall prevent negative perception which is tried to be posed against us and also we will be able to benefit more from this finance source. Working hand in hand public and private sector, we can make this high growth rate pace permanent."

-Minister of Custom and Trade Tüfenkci

During his speech Minister of Custom and Trade Bülent Tüfenkci said "The Attraction Centres which are in fact investment campaign especially in East and Southeastern Anatolia shall be announce in short time may be with a change in title and differentiate additionally."

Tüfenkci expressed that Ministry shall maintain its works with a close co-operation the member of with.

Stating that national economy continues giving confidence to domestic and foreign investors Tüfenkci also said despite a terrible scenario in 2017, it has been a fruitful years for investors, traders, industrialists and Turkish economy.

Tüfenkci indicating that the economy displayed an outstanding performance which knock the bottom out of growth estimations and failed the pessimistic scenarios entirely also said "In order to make this performance sustainable as the government we shall do our best to provide all the support and incentive. I believe that god willing, business world will have a better year in 2018 than 2017 and the gross product of our economy will reach to 1 billion USD."

Stating that they will not allow business world to face foreign exchange – interest impasse, Tüfenkci also said "By maintaining our fight against inflation resolutely, we are aiming to reduce it to single digit figures. If Allah permits we shall succeed this."

Underlining that in exportation it was a record breaking year in 2017 and by end year will be concluded with a new record Tüfenkci also added that with incentives that are already given and the ones which shall be given in 2018, targets would be achieved.