Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu shared his thoughts on Gemlik: “Gemlik was a place for naval war ships in the first years of the Ottoman Empire. Called ‘Gemilik’ or shipyard. Today, Gemlik - as it did in the past - stands beside its state, beside the nation. Blessings of Allah be upon you. I learned that you sent olive to our heroic soldiers in Operation Olive Branch. May the grace of Allah be upon our heroic martyrs who’ve given their lives during the Operation in Afrin. Our martyrs are making us proud that our heroic army progresses with new successes every passing day. In this operation, Allah will make our army triumphant.

Gemlik is Bursa’s gateway to the world via its seaports. There is a free zone. With its 13bn USD export volume, Gemlik Free Zone Management is in the top 3 in Turkey. The first phase of the Istanbul-Izmir highway passing through Gemlik has been completed. Gemlik, the free zone and the ports also directly connecting to the motorway. This is where canning first started in Turkey. Olive is already a brand. Today, we are opening our laboratory to strengthen the brand image and standards of Gemlik Olives.”

- We cannot give up food, agriculture and animal husbandry

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that food, agriculture and animal husbandry have always been the sine qua non of the country, “We have the potential to satisfy the needs of both ourselves and our region. Look, the middle class is growing fast all over the world. Every year, a population double that of Turkey is added to the middle class. The middle class consumes and spends more. We have a population of 2 billion in our surrounding geography. Tis 2 billion population is importing about 500bn USD of food, agriculture and livestock products. On the other hand, the price increase in agriculture and animal husbandry is above the general price increase. That's why food, agriculture and animal husbandry always profit.”

- The importance of commodity exchanges

Stating that food, agriculture and livestock markets in Turkey are regulated commodity exchanges, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The price of the products are determined by the participation of buyers and sellers in the market. Analyses of products are carried out in laboratories of the commodity exchanges. Today, our commodity brokers have become an example to the world. We offer services to our members with our modern stockbroking applications. We are in service with our accredited laboratories and licensed warehouses. We have taken two important steps in recent years by further improving the food, agriculture and livestock markets in Turkey. First is Licensed Warehousing. The producer now puts his product in a licensed warehouse. He can use his electronic product bond (ELÜS) to access financing. He keeps his product securely with state incentives and also gets financing more easily. Gemlik CE also has a licensed warehouse investment project for olives.

The second is Product Specialized Commodity Exchanges. We are also about to complete the establishment of a 50-year dream for Turkish agriculture, the Product Specialized Commodity Exchange. Licensed warehouses form the foundation of Product Specialization Exchanges. You will be able to buy and sell the product notes you buy from licensed warehouse on the Product Specialization Commodity Exchange. Just like the Commodity Exchange Istanbul. This is the commodity exchange. With the Specialized Commodity Exchange, prices of agricultural and livestock products will now be determined in our country. Gemlik CE will also become a partner of the Product Specialized Exchange.

- Exchange has registered the Gemlik Olive

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that olive analysis will be carried out in the laboratory, “Our exchange has registered the Gemlik olive as a geographically marked product. Those who want to sell Gemlik olive will come first and apply to the commodity market, get the geographical markers. You are promoting at all fairs, especially YÖREX. Now it is time for registration of the Gemlik Olive. TOBB will give all support to this end.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that the İŞKUR On-site Exchange Service Point has been opened, stressed that Gemlik Commodity Exchange is exemplary in Turkey. Hisarcıklıoğlu, praising the vision of the Commodity Exchange, “Exchanges are investing in the future of their cities. I also witnessed this both in Ankara and here. From the Chair to Board, from Council to women and young entrepreneurs, from the Secretaries General to all our employees, thank you all. Our chambers and exchanges keep your pulse, identify your troubles and then, together, we look for solutions.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu gave the message of unity and solidarity in his speech, "The problem is not solved with a fight. It is solved by dialogue with the common mind. Allah will give mercy and blessings when we are together with one. "