Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu noted “Essentially, it would be possible to mention that we are in the second phase of globalisation. We have missed the first phase during the 90s. Due to this, we have went through the 90s as a lost period”.
Hisarcıklıoğlu, noted they, as the Board of Directors, had hosted Kılıçdaroğlu’s first visit to TOBB. Hisarcıklıoğlu, who recalled their visit to Kılıçdaroğlu promptly after him being elected as Chairman, expressed his delight at Kılıçdaroğlu’s return visit and being able to host him at the TOBB headquarters.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, who highlighted that as TOBB, they had adopted the principle of keeping themselves at an equal distance to all political parties and noted “Whatever we say to the ruling party, we say the same to the opposition parties, and forward them the same views and suggestions”.

In this context, Hisarcıklıoğlu recalled he had hosted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Turkey Trade and Industry Council meeting as well as the Presidents of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges meeting in Kiev, and mentioned that he was now hosting the main opposition party’s Chairman along with his crew. Hisarcıklıoğlu noted they were going to brief Kılıçdaroğlu on TOBB and update him on the recent developments within the economy  from the private sector’s perspective.

“Elections should not inhibit reforms”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, who stated he was going to explain the economy in a similar fashion as he did at the Economic Journalists Association last weekend, said:
“It is our private sector that encourages economic growth and provide jobs in Turkey. For this reason, any step taken that would strengthen the private sector should be among the core elements of the political agenda. There is a new global structure of competition shaping up following the financial crisis. We see that nations who adapt to the newly formed conditions manage to grow more rapidly and prosper. Essentially, it would be possible to mention that we are in the second phase of globalisation. We have missed the first phase during the 90s. Due to this, we have went through the 90s as a lost period. We must as of now -being aware of the risks and opportunities and in accordance with the newly set conditions- commence a new initiative for growth. We must build on the terrific year 2010 performance and continue on that path.

In the years up ahead, we are going to continuously go through times of elections. Elections should not inhibit reforms. Two months ago we have witnessed the enactment of both the Code of Commerce and the Code of Obligations with the support of both the ruling party and the opposition parties.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu who thanked Kılıçdaroğlu and CHP for their support in helping these essential reforms come to fruition, stated that the atmosphere of dialogue and comprise within the political world, also motivates the business world and acts as a massive boost in them realizing further achievements.

CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu

CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, stating that the road to a quality democracy goes through freedom, said: “Problems that emerge in places due to the suspension/crippling of freedom and democracy, will grow even more rapidly than we come to think”.

Kılıçdaroğlu, in his speech at the TOBB Board of Directs Meeting said “CHP’s image within the business world is rather negative, we wish to break this image”.
Kılıçdaroğlu, who stated that they are determined to create a model in which the business world can comfortably work, produce and provide employment, suggested that manufacturers were the public servants of the economy and thus needed to have obstacles lifted.

“Your targets do not meet”

Kılıçdaroğlu, expressed that a growth rate of 5.5% would only lengthen current issues at hand, while noting that in the medium-term plan the growth rate having been set as 4% said “If you are targetting a 4% rate and you have a growth of 9% then this means there is a problem; your targets do not meet”.

Kılıçdaroğlu, recalling M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu’s statement on being at an equal distance to all political parties said:
“This is what we want to hear. Umbrella organisations and professional organisations should be at an equal distance with political parties. We have this understanding of economics: we are determined to also lift obstacles with manufacturers who do not share our view of the world. Because that manufacturer does not work for himself/herself, but for his/her country. W emay have different worldviews but we must create a common denominator. We must respect those who work, produce, sweat and take risks; this is our target, we will show this respect”.  

“Growth based on imports, economy based on hot money”

Kılılçdaroğlu who also expressed that manufacturers were at unrest with regards to energy costs, reminded there being plans of the construction of a nuclear power plant and suggested manufacturers to enquire about the cost of energy obtained from nuclear power plants in countries they visit. 
Kılıçdaroğlu criticised the structure of the State Planning Agency
Kılıçdaroğlu, in his speech at the TOBB Board of Directors Meeting, criticising the structure of the State Planning Agency, said that he plans to change this structure with a solid and consistent foundation, in which experts are to have more weight.
Kılıçdaroğlu, also noting that CHP will always meet criticisms with due honour, while mentioning that they strive to keep the economy at the top of Turkey’s agenda.
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