Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Thrace Region Consultation Meeting was hosted at the Edirne Chamber of Commerce and Industry by Edirne Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Recep Zıpkınkurt with the participation of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, Bendevi Palandöken, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle as well as chamber and exchange presidents of the region’s provinces and counties as well as council members.

- Thanks from Hisarcıklıoğlu

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu began his speech by offering his condolences for the deceased Edirne MP Erdin Bircan. Stating that he was an honorary citizen of Edirne, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I am proud of being in Edirne. I would like to thank to Edirne Chamber and Exchange, my brothers Özay and Recep. Today, I would like to thank the President of TESK, Mr. Bendevi Palandöken and the Chairman of TİM Mr. İsmail Gülle, who have honored us. I wish success to the newly appointed governor. We are conducting our consultation meeting in Thrace Region under the auspices of Minister Ruhsar Pekcan. Thanks to the Minister, she came to Edirne even though it was Sunday and he helped us to organize a regional meeting. As you know, the President, with the right vision, has gathered internal trade, foreign trade and customs in a single ministry.

This important task has been placed upon one of our community. It is a great advantage for our country that our Minister is a successful business woman from the business world who knows very well about investment and trade. It is a great morale for us to share the same sensitivities, to have a minister who shares our grief and to see them with us today. We are proud of our Minister Ruhsar Pekcan who undertakes an important task in this way.”

- The center of agriculture and animal husbandry

Stating that Thrace is the center of agriculture and animal husbandry with its fertile lands, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out the myriad riches of the region with Tekirdağ’s industry, Edirne’s history and culture, Kırklareli and Çanakkale's natural. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have made significant investments in Thrace in 3 areas and said, “We modernized border gates of İpsala, Hamzabeyli and Kapıkule, which is the second biggest border crossing in the world. We have made them the most modern, safest gates in the world. The United Nations has registered them as best practice. We started work on the Dereköy gate as well, and we are increasing the capacity of Hamzabeyli and İpsala. We made the Kapıkule TIR park and we solved the problems there. Second, we made significant investments in the fields of history and tourism. We paid for the maintenance and repair of the Selimiye Mosque, one of the greatest works of our history. By establishing the Selimiye Foundation, we ensured the transfer of this inheritance to future generations. Thirdly, we worked in the field of education. We built primary schools, high schools and faculties in our cities in Thrace. And we did all this in partnership with our Chambers and Commodity Exchanges. We did it together through unity and solidarity.

- Issues raised by Chambers and Commodity Exchanges

Stating that they have come together to hear the problems of producers, traders and industrialists of Thrace and to talk solution proposals, Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that many of the issues raised by the Chambers and Commodity Exchanges have addressed recently. The TOBB President said, “An arrangement was made to activate the Short Work Allowance. Problems regarding technical bankruptcy were resolved. Taxes on automotive, furniture, housing and home appliances were lowered. Support for licensed warehousing has been improved. Through the great support and labor of our Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, these found acceptance by the Government.

I thank her on behalf of all of us.”

- Thrace's vision

Stressing that all the Chambers and Commodity Exchanges work with all their powers to carry Thrace into the future, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I congratulate them for their vision and wish them success in their work. When we join hands together, we will move both our region and our country forward.”