Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the opening of the Mediterranean University Commerce and Industry Chamber (ALTSO) Junior Technical College and the signing of the Mediterranean University Engineering Faculty protocol signing and the laying of its foundation in Alanya. Afterwards, Hisarcıklıoğlu held a conference on “Suggestions to the Busines World”.

In his speech, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that one of the big players in paying off the current deficit is tourism and emphasized the importance of becoming a brand.

Saying that there is great opportunity in spreading tourism out over 12 months, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In order to allow the workers of the tourism sector to continue working in the sector during winter, the taxes on employment need to be reduced.”

- Gazipaşa Airport needs to open up to international flights

Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke, “If you want to make Alanya earn more, be richer, you have to build a city with an airport open to international flight.” Stating that opening of the Gazipaşa Airport to international flights was crucial, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he himself used the airport in order to raise awareness to it.

Reporting that Alanya plays host to 2 million tourists today, the TOBB President said, “The spending capacity decreases when you travel to Alanya via Antalya. If there are direct flights to Alanya, the money spent here will also increase.”

Stating while Spain earns 50 billion dollar from tourism with its 840 km long Mediterraneadn Sea shore, Turkey only earns 22 billion dollars with its 1144 km long shore. Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the importance of increasing these figures.

- Support for real estate to foreigners

The TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they view the work being done to allow foreigners to own real estate to be a positive development, “If foreigners buy real estate from Turkey, can they pack it up and take it with them? Let them buy real estate, it’s an income source for us.”

- Stressed the importance of education

Having attended the laying of the Mediterranean University Commerce and Industry Chamber (ALTSO) Junior Technical College foundation, Hisarcıklıoğlu touched on the importance of education. Saying, “The most beneficent of men is he who is beneficent to others,” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they had witnessed one of the most beautiful examples of visionary mindset.

- ALTSO President Kerim Aydoğan

ALTSO President Kerim Aydoğan expressed his happiness for opening the ALTSO Junior Technical College stating that it spans 3,500 sq. km and is made up of 21 classrooms, costing 2.6 million liras.

Aydoğan thanked the TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu for his support.

- Mediterranean University Rector Prof. Dr. İsrafil Kurtcephe

The Mediterranean University Rector Prof. Dr. İsrafil Kurtcephe said in his speech that the best investment was the one made in people. Relating that societies that can’t develop technology or produce information will never catch up to the age, Kurtcephe praised Alanya’s enthusiasm for education and their work.
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