Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu, beginning his speech by praying for the grace of Allah upon our martyred soldiers during Operation Olive Branch in Afrin and wished the wounded quick recovery, said, “Fortunately, we have gained control of Afrin district center. May Allah grant our army victory and protect our soldiers.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that Ilgın had fulfilled a very important task in the Great Offensive culminating in victory, saying, “We celebrate the memory of our ancestors from Ilgın with gratitude. We will be in Mevlana's land in Konya and its provinces for 2 days. We came for good works such as openings, groundbreaking and award ceremonies. First we started with the opening of new service building of Ilgın CC. Then we will open the new service building of the Commodity Exchange and the Science High School that the Commodity Exchange has made.”

Stating that “Ilgın” is named after a flower blossoming only for one day in winter, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This is why Ilgın is like a rare flower.”

The TOBB President stated that Ilgın is very important for them for two reasons, “First, Ilgın is the center of healthcare. So much so that Ilgın is called ‘Ab-ı Germ’ which means ‘Thermal City’ in the Seljuk period. Mevlânâ came to Ilgın Thermal Spring every summer in order to find healing. So Ilgın is a city which has provided healing since its first day. Secondly, Ilgın is a strategic center on the historic silk road. You are on Konya-İstanbul and Konya-İzmir railway and highway. You are also the pioneer in agriculture and animal husbandry. You add value to the country's economy with wheat, poppy and sugar beets. We also have coal reserves underground.”

Referring to the fact that Ilgın Chamber of Commerce is an accredited chamber, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The quality of service provided by Ilgın Chamber of Commer is on the same standard as the ones in Paris, London and Berlin. The new service building has also become a 5 stars. These are about vision.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu also celebrated the 50^th birthday of Ilgın Chamber of Commerce.

Pointing out that they took two very important steps together with Ilgın Chamber of Commerce, TOBB President said, “It is no longer necessary to come to the chamber to get a document. Ilgın Chamber of Commerce provides service accessible from home or work. It brings the service to you. There is now an online chamber. Secondly, you had to go to 7 places to establish a company before. There is no need to go to 7 different places now. It's enough to come to a single chamber. The cost for company establishment has decreased to 650TRY instead of 2,250TRY. This is how service to members should be like.”

Emphasizing that there are also troubles, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Are there no problems at all? Of course there are. But we have the will and the power to overcome all of them. Look, we've made a lot of improvements by acting in unity and solidarity. Problems are not solved by fighting. It is solved by dialogue and common cause. Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent. I am deeply convinced that you will have an election process worthy of my community in April. The election will end and the winner as well as their competition will work together shoulder to shoulder again.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are building 81 schools in 81 provinces as per the 2013 TOBB board decision and promised to build a school in Ilgın in the new term.