Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu, in Kahramanmaraş for the 100^th anniversary of the liberation of the city from enemy occupation, attended the “Kahramanmaraş Business World Joint Consultation Meeting” held within the scope of the activities of the year by Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KMTSO).

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, noting that 100 years ago ‘Kahramanmaraş would be their grave before it would see the enemy smile’, stated that the hero city of Independence War, is the hometown of those who do not give in to oppression.

Stating that Kahramanmaraş is the home of the Seven Good Men, Necip Fazıl, Rıdvan Hodja, Sütçü İmam, Senem Ayşe and many more heroes, Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his hope to conduct work worthy of the honor of their ancestors.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also touched on the aid to the earthquake zone as TOBB, immediately taking action after the Elazığ and Malatya earthquakes and sending out 108 truckloads of aid.

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out while there were 11 companies from Kahramanmaraş among the largest 1000 industrial companies, this number now stands at 25, and said that the city, which is a center of education with 2 universities, is one of the brand cities of the country with its ice cream, pepper, tarhana, wood carving and copper works.

- Economy recovering

Noting that 2019 was a difficult year for the economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“The economy has started to recover in the last few months. We see this as promising for the future. Economic management must continue reforms. As the private sector, we must continue production, employment, investment, exports. We need to focus not inwards but on international markets; opportunities, not risks. We must proceed cautiously but decisively in 2020. That's what we have to do, and I wanted to come together with you to consult on it. I'll note your problems and troubles. So you're going to give us our homework. We will work on them in Ankara.”