Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the importance protecting individuals and institutions contributing to the economy.

Emphasizing unity and solidarity, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “There is prosperity and grace in unity; anguish in dissent. That is the biggest secret behind success. There is one constant behind the success stories of our star cities. Their governors, municipality directors, PMs, bureaucrats, civil society institutions and private sector come together around common sense.”

Pointing out that Bartın TSO is 109 years old, the TOBB President stated that Bartın TSO is a 5-star chamber, providing the same quality of service to its members as any chamber in London, Paris or Berlin.

Stating that the number of taxpayers in 2014 had decreased in comparison to the previous year in Bartın as well as the taxes paid by institutions, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the need to increase the number of entrepreneurs, promoting entrepreneurship to youth and women.

Pointing out that Bartın has a culture of industry, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Bartın has a market of 116 billion TL in its reach within a perimeter of 300 km.

- The Filyos Turkey issue

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that, Turkey’s second largest project after GAP, the Filyos Valley Project is not only an important matter for Bartın, Zonguldak or the West Black Sea Region but rather all of Turkey.

“In our hands is a treasure which would turn the region into a center for commerce, production and logistics,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We relayed this to the region’s chamber/exchange presidents and Prime Minister of the time, Mr. Erdoğan at the TOBB Industry Summit. The tender process has ground to a standstill here. We have a great advantage before us, the elections are coming. We must find a way to move this past the bureaucratic bog together. We must solve this. You’re sitting on a project which will make you rich.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu went on to stress the importance of continuing economic reforms.

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that in a survey in Bartın, the most prevalent opinion is the need for trained and qualified personnel. He went on to provide information on UMEM Ability’10 Project to address this issue. Hisarcıklıoğlu also provided information on their work with Turkey Union of Banks on a QR code system for checks.

- Bartın TSO President Çakır

Bartın TSO President Cihat Çakır stated that they’ve adopted the principle of grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent.

Çakır stated that, under Hisarcıklıoğlu’s leadership, the work of chambers and exchanges have contributed greatly to their region and provided direction for the public.

Cihat Çakır stressed the importance of the high school which will be built by TOBB in Bartın and thanked Hisarcıklıoğlu.

- TOBB’s investment into Bartın’s education

After the ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Bartın Governor Seyfettin Azizoğlu signed the protocol for the TOBB Social Sciences High School to be built in Bartın.