Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech at the TOBB ETU University September 4th Campus Protocol Signature Ceremony and Tax Record Holders Award Ceremony held at the Sivas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the decisions of September 4th at the Sivas Congress should be well remembered by all.

Recalling the “The homeland is a whole within the national borders, indivisible” statement made during the Sivas Congress, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I would remind everyone who aims to disturb the unity of Turkey of this statement.” Hisarcıklıoğlu said that unity and solidarity can defeat everything but death, reciting the saying, “Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent.”

Touching on their visit to Gaziantep last week, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they were met with an inspiring vista. All civil society organizations, political parties, people of every philosophy and creed had come together in Gaziantep and went on, “Instead of scattering them apart, terror brought them together. This is the act of people who don’t know us.”

Emphasizing that there have been underhanded games being played on Turkey in the past, at the time of the Ottoman Empire and before; and that there will be more games still tomorrow just like today, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As long as we maintain our unity and solidarity nobody can defeat us. This spirit was evident in Gaziantep. The thousands who rushed to donate blood for the victims of a bomb attack in İzmir and the taxi drivers who would not accept payment for getting them to the hospital just goes to show that the spirit is present and that nobody has the power to divide this country.

- “Banks are generous to the government, thankless to the private sector”

Reminding that the last year was very successful in regards to the economy and providing information about the investments and exports made, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the momentum of last year was missing this year; last year’s growth figure of 8.5% has fallen to 3.2%.

Mentioning that the credits given to small and mid-sized establishments by banks have decreased, Hisarcıklıoğlu claimed that the lifting of the jail sentences in regards to dud checks is causing issues. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that, due to these two reasons, SMEs are experiencing problems in commerce and economy.

Positing that banks are acting generously to the government while acting thanklessly to the private sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that, even though the rates were equal last year, there is a 6.5 difference in interest rates between those for the government and for the private sector.

- “We want the same terms as our competitors”

Explaining the process the chambers and exchange unions have been through in Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that chambers have reached a point where they are taking on projects, pairing up with their counterparts in Europe and undertake joint projects with them.

Also providing information regarding the European Union Business Development Centers (ABİGEM), Hisarcıklıoğlu urged the SMEs to take advantage of the advisory services provided by these centers. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that advisory services are underestimated.

Recalling the point Turkey’s economy has come to; Hisarcıklıoğlu said that many Turkish products are in use in Europe. Emphasizing that he believes Turkey will be among the top ten economies of the world by 2023, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have but one request from the public, politicians and the Assembly: We want the same terms as our competitors. Give us that and we will put Turkey into the top ten world economies in 11 years.”

- Speaker of the Assembly Çiçek

Speaker of the Assembly Cemil Çiçek stated that while celebrating the 93rd anniversary of the Sivas Congress, “We are aware how important this is in regards to our history as well as our social, political and state life and we must be even more aware of it. If those decisions hadn’t been made at the Siva Congress and if we hadn’t stood behind those decisions, we would not be having this meeting today. We must recognize this fact before any question of political views, opinions and beliefs come into consideration.”

Çiçek, touching on the importance of the private sector, stated that the fact that Turkey is among the largest economies of the world is contributed largely by the private sector.

- Defense Minister Yılmaz

The Defense Minister, İsmet Yılmaz said that every centime returns to the people as service.

Emphasizing that exports in the same period have increased in comparison to the first 7 months of last year, Yılmaz said that there needs to be more production and additional austerity measures.

Yılmaz congratulated the companies which have been providing employment and said, “Let none fret. The future for both Sivas and the country is bright.”

- CHP President Kılıçdaroğlu

CHP President Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu started his speech by congratulating TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu for establishing a campus in Sivas.

Emphasizing that production and employment are necessary for a strong country, Kılıçdaroğlu said, “How does Turkey become strong? Not with foreign money. The way to be strong for Turkey is to produce and create employment.”

Stating that Turkey’s economy is strong but mismanaged, Kılıçdaroğlu said that this strength must be brought forth together.

- BBP President Destici

BBP President Mustafa Destici expressed his great pleasure at being in Sivas for the 93rd anniversary of the Sivas Congress.

Thanking TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Destici stated that TOBB has contributed greatly to the development of Turkey’s economy.

After the speeches protocol members presented tax record holders with their plaques. Afterwards the protocol for the TOBB ETU September 4th Campus was signed.
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