Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended “Turkey 3^rd Construction Sector Expanded Assessment and Consultation Meeting” by the Construction Contractors Confederation (İMKON) at the Rixos Ankara Hotel. Pointing out that the construction sector also contributes to the development of other sectors such as concrete, ceramics and steelworks, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As of 2013, the sector has brought in 33 billion USD in foreign currency. We are ensuring that Turkey has less debt. It is impossible to direct the economy without taking the sector into account.”

Touching on the contribution of urban renovation projects to the sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that approximately 7 million buildings in Turkey will be renovated.

Reporting that an important market is forming in Turkey’s southern neighbors, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Who will rebuild the ruins of our southern neighbors? Who will build them when peace comes? You will.”

Voicing his opinions on the difficulties facing the sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that contractors of ill repute are tainting the good names of contractors who are credit to their profession.

Reporting that no proper inventorying of the construction sector is possible, Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the importance of vocational proficiency certification and the increased importance it will have in the sector.

Speaking about the QR code cheques issue, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “When we receive a QR coded cheques, we will be able to see their transaction history.”

- İMKON President Tellioğlu

İMKON President Tahir Tellioğlu stated that many problems from the past persist today, including construction law. He reported that the law conflicts with the Urban Renovation Law.

Tellioğlu touched on the matter of work safety, criticizing the unscrupulous attitude of inspectors focused solely on fining the sector.