Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

- The riches of the city

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, who made a presentation at the consultation meeting held at the Gaziosmanpaşa University Hall in Tokat, presented his assessments in regards to Tokat province. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Tokat is the home of the brave. Home of the hero of Plevne, Gazi Osman Pasha's. Home of the 15-year-olds who marched to martyrdom in Çanakkale; the city Mevlana praised as, ‘the city of moderate people and climate.’ Indeed, the fertility of Yesilırmak Valley gathers on the plains of Tokat. At the same time, Tokat is a special place where Haji Bektash-i Veli offered a prayer for. Evliya Çelebi says of Tokat, ‘Tokat, the city of sages, the virtuous and poets.’

Taşhan is a magnificent 400-year-old Ottoman artifact. In contrast to today's concrete houses, there are beautiful mansions that show the elegance of the houses in the past. The 'Arastan Bedesten', which Evliya Çelebi talked about with praise, is one of the oldest trade centers in Anatolia. The Tokat Madrasa are also among the oldest of Anatolia. Tokat is a place to visit for its history and nature. Tokat cuisine is also great. Turkey's famous flavor experts, gourmets, visit often, not without reason. Geographical markers have been registered for Tokat kebab, Niksar walnut, Turhal yogurtmac, Zile molasses. Erbaa vineyard leaves, cummin, apple, kömes, grapevine leaves are well known throughout the country, but deserve to be known even more. One of Tokat's most important symbol brands is the 1,400-year-old healing source Niksar Ayvaz water, second in the world in terms of quality. We also export natural sodium bentonite to many countries of the world. But now we have to find a way to process it in Tokat and generate added value.”

- Airport will transform city's appearance

Stating that when Tokat Airport is opened, Tokat's appearance would change, Hisarcıklıoğlu said Tokat-Niksar-Akkuş-Ünye highway, once completed would connect Central Anatolia to Karadeniz. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Similar to Channel İstanbul, ‘Channel Tokat’ is being built on the Yeşilırmak in Tokat . should be completed by tthe end of this year. Work on New Generation Tokat Industrial Site has started as a part of the Production Reform Package. Work on ‘Agriculture Specialized Greenhouse OIZ’ is underway in Erbaa. The governorship is working to have the Ballıca Caverns be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Tokat is a candidate for metropolitan status with all of these developments.”

- Praise for Tokat chambers and commodity exchanges

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, praising the unity and solidarity of Tokat's chambers and commodity exchanges, said, "All chambers and exchanges are displaying unity and solidarity by holding a joint meeting. By working together and following up on developments they’ve finally built their school. We just opened TOBB Sakarya Anatolian High School together at Zile. May it serve you and Tokat well. Tokat boasts 5 chambers and 2 commodity exchanges. Of these, 2 exchanges and 3 chambers are accredited with another in the process of acquiring accreditation. What does it mean for a chamber/exchange to be accredited? It means 5-star service. We are also working together with the Chamber/Commodity Exchanges chairs in Tokat in TOBB’s various commissions and institutions. They represent Tokat in Ankara. We take advantage of their experiences. May Allah bless you all.”

Touching on the number of companies opened in 2017 in Tokat, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the figures are above the national average. The TOBB President noted that, whereas the number of companies in the top 500 industrial establishments 10 years ago was just 1, now it is 2. “Our chambers and exchanges are doing good works in Tokat. I am following both closely and I am here to listened to them. For the development and enrichment of Tokat, they’ve made the sacrifice; they are hard at work. From the chairpersons to administrations; from councils to the women and young entrepreneurs; from secretaries general to academic advisors and to all of your employees, may Allah bless them.”

- Endeavors of the Chambers/Exchanges community

Reporting that with the Industry-Production Reform Package, with the removal of such added costs as the 2% TRT tax, OIZ real estate tax and stamp tax, a burden of 1 billion TRY has been gained in savings for the private sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We are ranked 60^th in the world ease-of-business index. As one of the top 20 economies of the world, aspiring to be among the top 10, this is unbecoming of our country. We have planned over a hundred reforms with various ministries. As an example, the 18 procedures necessary for construction permits will be simplified down to 6. With changes to the Building Inspection Law, signatures necessary for construction permit will be lowered to a single signature from 18. Tax and SSI declarations will be unified as a single document. A company would be obligated to present between 40 and 50 declarations per year. This will be lowered to 12. Another important reform is in acquiring VAT returns on which we are working with the Treasury Ministry. These are all being processed through the TGNA and will hopefully be passed soon.

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.”