Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said in his speech at the meeting that the amount of construction bids won by Turkish contractors in Turkmenistan in the last 11 months has reached 4.7 billion USD. Stating that this is a historical record, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I congratulate the Turkish construction sector. The construction sector is writing a great success story. We have become the world’s largest shareholder in this field, second only to China.”

“I was confronted with very saddening news last night,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “as I learned that the elementary school built by TOBB 12 years ago and expanded 3 years ago as well as being made to withstand earthquakes better, had been set on fire. Thankfully there was no loss of life. I would just like to say one thing. I condemn everyone with a mentality which condones the destruction of schools, leaving children bereft of an education. I also condemn those who, for whatever reason, defend these people. As TOBB, we will continue to support education and contribute to it wherever we can. They will not intimidate us.”

- Zero production errors in automobiles

Stating that he regards the “Domestic Automobile Base Sakarya” project with admiration, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Sakarya produces the highest quality automobiles in the world.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that Sakarya deserves to be an automotive city, said, “During our trip to Japan with the President of the Republic, Toyota executives told us that the only place to produce cars without any errors was Turkey. This automobile is produced in Sakarya. Sakarya will soon be producing tractors as well. I am proud of this.”

“This is the point we’ve reached all the way from the Murat 124,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “The number of automobile models produced in the country has reached 13. We are among the best in the world in this regard. Thankfully we produce the highest quality automobiles in the world. Our automobile exports have reached good levels as well. That is how far we’ve come from the days of the Murat 124.”

- Turkey has reached the point where it can manufacture its own brand automobile

Drawing attention to the work underway to produce a domestic automobile in Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey has the power to achieve this.

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the importance of innovative policies to this end and said, “Turkey has reached the point where it can manufacture its own brand automobile. It deserves this with its workers and technology; the city that deserves it the most is Sakarya. However innovation is what matters in this race. We need young brains to accomplish this.”

Pointing out the importance of branding in order to have a say in world production, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Today, the French have branded the fruit yoghurt my grandmother made for me during my childhood. We need to brand our products. They’re repackaging what used to be ours and selling it back to us. It doesn’t matter that you own something, you must brand it.”

- Branding

“The way to become a brand city is through unity and solidarity,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and stated that a city’s governor, municipality director, assembly representatives, rector, chamber and exchange presidents and presidents of NGOs must work together to make the city a brand city.

Hisarcıklıoğlu went on: “Grace and prosperity in unity and solidarity; anguish in dissent. Coming together in unity and solidarity you will find prosperity and grace. In this regard, I congratulate the opinion leaders of Sakarya. Sakarya TSO is one of our accredited chambers. Accreditation means a chamber which can boast 5 stars. They provide 5 star services, on par with world standards.”

Speaking about the UMEM project, the TOBB President stated that Sakarya is one of the three most successful in this regard in Turkey.

Emphasizing that Sakarya is doing its best to become the automotive sector’s production sector with this workshop, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Sakarya has proved that it is deserving of this. Throughout the world, cities are known by their sectors. Whatever subject a city focuses on, that is the industry it will develop towards. Its university, public administration departments and organizations will evolve around this goal.”

- Other speakers

Economy Minister Deputy Mustafa Sever stated his happiness for the progress Sakarya, which was also a pivotal city during the War of Independence.

Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SATSO) Board President Mahmut Kösemusul said that Sakarya is acting as the domestic automotive base. Emphasizing that the report they have compiled clearly indicates that Sakarya is capable of producing a domestic automobile, Kösemusul stated that they will put forth the work to achieve their goal.

A goodwill protocol was signed during the meeting between the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Sakarya Governorship and Sakarya University.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu visited the Sakarya Trade Exchange Livestock Market following the meeting.
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