Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that 89 years ago, one of the greatest sources of pride in Turkish history, the country’s first major push into heavy industry, was launched at the Karabük Iron and Steel Works (KARDEMİR).

- “Karabük’s story is Türkiye’s story of development”

​​​​​​​Noting that the city’s sweat and labor are present in every corner of the country, in its railroads, bridges, and buildings, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Karabük, which grew alongside KARDEMİR, has transformed from a small settlement into a modern city. This epic, where labor is etched in fire, with smoking chimneys, blazing furnaces, and people working with hope, has been written in Karabük. Therefore, Karabük’s story is Türkiye’s story of development,” he said.

Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed support for the proposal to celebrate April 3 as “Industry Day” in Türkiye, stating, “We need to raise awareness about April 3. This is by no means utopian; on the contrary, it is the right thing to do. Recognizing this meaningful day at the national level will be a step toward giving Karabük and the country’s industry the recognition they deserve.”

Emphasizing that the Port of Filyos is of great importance to industrialists and exporters in Karabük and the region, Hisarcıklıoğlu continued:

“Filyos is Türkiye’s third-largest port. In this context, the most prudent course of action is for us to connect with the sea as soon as possible, because maritime transport is the cheapest mode of transportation globally for goods produced here to reach world markets. We need to utilize this. These areas provide Karabük with significant logistical and strategic advantages.”

Conveying demands to lift credit restrictions for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Large companies have the opportunity to borrow from abroad, but SMEs have no such opportunity domestically. That is why we are saying that we should at least implement positive discrimination in favor of SMEs.”

The event concluded with members of the protocol presenting awards to successful businesspeople in the city.

Following the event, Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the wedding of Erol Altuntepe, President of the Safranbolu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and served as a witness to the marriage.