Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech at the Regional Development Conference held by the Fırat Development Agency (FKA) which services the provinces of Malatya, Elazığ, Tunceli and Bingöl, Hisarcıklıoğlu related that the key to development lies with unity and solidarity.

Stating that development agencies bring economic and social development to the people and that development is made with the agreement of the people, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the state has set aside resources and put together a good team for this purpose.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The smartest, most intelligent, multilingual graduates of the best schools in Turkey are in enviable positions of development agencies. It would be a shame to waste this opportunity.”

Stating that Turkey must fully utilize its agricultural and livestock potential, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We are the 9th country in the world in terms of arable land size. We are not using our potential whereas we should be feeding the world. Today, Holland with a size equivalent of Konya exports a total of 52 billion dollars’ worth of agricultural and livestock goods, Turkey only exports 12 billion dollars’ worth. Do not wait on a solution from Ankara; we should be making use of our potential locally.”

Stating that while Turkey has 1.396 million entrepreneurs, Japan boats of 6.6 million entrepreneurs, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We need to increase our number of entrepreneurs. That’s the only thing we need to do. This is the singular solution to solving unemployment.”

Stating that women, who make up half the country’s population, only 6% participate in enterprising, Hisarcıklıoğlu related, “To increase number, and by doing so decrease the unemployment figures, development agencies need to supporting women and young to become entrepreneurs. The time of need-little-have-little is over. Today, Turkey has come the point that it is the largest global giant between Italy and China. We must market what we produce in the region whether it be in Bingöl, Tunceli or Malatya. We can no longer avoid this global vision.”

Saying that development agencies cannot afford to get bottled up locally, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “They must unite that region and open it up to the world.”

Drawing attention to the 8th President of the Republic, Turgut Özal, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We discovered the enterprising spirit through Özal. We possess an extraordinary entrepreneurship spirit that, today, we market over 20,000 products to over 200 countries. 92% of our exports are industrial goods.”

- “The state should encourage us and cheer us on”

Stating that there are organized industry zones being established all over Anatolia, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “One in every three home appliances in Europe are Turkish goods. On in every three televisions are Turkish goods. We are ranked number two in construction and transportation. We are the 7th in tourism globally. We accomplished all this in 30 years. Our people have done it. Do not be afraid of the people. Let them have free rein. We are not asking for money from the state. We only want their support at our back. The state should encourage us and cheer us on. I only ask that we be allowed to compete on equal footing with our competitors. Maybe then we will see if we become the 10th largest economy in the world.

“Whenever Turkey makes some headway, whenever Turkey raises its head, whenever is about to overtake the world somebody yanks us back,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and expressed the importance of unity and solidarity.

“If you want to be rich and happy you must be united and you must whoever threatens that unity together,” spoke Hisarcıklıoğlu.

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu promised to open the Malatya branch of the Credit Guarantee Fund.

-“Turkey is an island of peace”

Visiting the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) after the conference, Hisarcıklıoğlu met with the chamber president and members.

Stating that investments have increased in Malatya, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the influx of entrepreneurs from Kayseri was the testament to MTSO’s success.

Pointing out that the peace in Turkey must not be disturbed, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We will not have our peace disturbed. We will not allow those who wish to disturb it to do so. Turkey’s region is fraught with diplomatic upheaval to the east and south, while there is economic crisis to the west. Turkey is an island of peace among it all. We will not allow our peace to be disturbed.”

MTSO President Hasan Hüseyin Erkoç pointed out that 12,500 acres of the Malatya Organized Industry Zone land has been bought from the treasury and that there is a strong demand. Erkoç said that 2 requests from firms in Kayseri have been made for factory land.

-Hisarcıklıoğlu visited Mayor Saran

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklığolu visited the Mayor of Malatya, Ulvi Saran, prior to attending the conference.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it was a courtesy visit.

Mayor Ulvi saran said, “You are in a position that requires responsibility where economy and employment is formed. Hopefully Turkey will reach much better heights, both economically and socially. The organization that you are leading has important roles to play in this.”

During the visit Hisarcıklıoğlu presented Mayor Saran with a china plate, Mayor Saran presented him with a platter of dried apricots.

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