27.09.2013 KKTC
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, TOBB Board Vice Presidents Halim Mete, İbrahim Çağlar, Çamur Ali Kopuz and TOBB Board Member Şahin Bilgiç attended the joint board meetings of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) and the Cyprus Turkish Industry Chamber (KTSO).
- Hisarcıklıoğlu: “We do not count ourselves apart
from the merchants of TRNC”
Speaking at the
meeting held at the KTTO, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they do not
count the KTSO and KTTO which operate in TRNC from the chambers operating
within Turkey and said, “Your problems are our problems. We do not count
ourselves apart from the merchants and industrialists in TRNC.
We have a vision of a
TRNC with a rapidly growing economy, free from isolation, with an established
economic and political system held up by a well educated human resources,” said
Hisarcıklıoğlu and stated that they have posed suggestions for solutions and to
integrate into the international community.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that, in line with their suggestions, the TRNC Investment Solidarity Council
has been established, presenting an important development in regards to solving
the problems faced by investors and creating a favorable investment climate.
Pointing out the
importance of forming councils to bring all parts of society together,
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Turkey has accomplished this by establishing the
Combined Arbitration Council and that problems are solved through discussion at
the council. Hisarcıklıoğlu said that TRNC could also benefit from this system
by establishing a council.
Reporting that the
urbanization of Turkey has created jobs in the private sector but that the
urbanization process in Cyprus has not been able to mimic this with qualified
personnel preferring public office instead, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that,
conversely, the structural shortcomings of the public financing system have
swept away means of credit. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that this has rendered the
attainment of finances difficult and expensive.
Stating that the
share of the private sector’s contribution to the GNP, Hisarcıklıoğlu
emphasized that this needs to be increased.
TOBB Board Vice
President and İstanbul Chamber of Commerce İbrahim Çağlar provided information
regarding his chamber and stated that they are ready to develop their business
relations with TRNC further.
KTTO President Günay
Çerkez stated that Turkish Cypriots are in a struggle for their existence and
that while the form of the struggle may have changed, its significance has not
diminished.
Çerkez stated that
the Investment Solidarity Council has not convened in two years and expressed
his desire to meet at the shortest possible time.
KTSO President Ali
Çıralı stated that the cooperation protocol signed between Turkey and TRNC is
based on exports instead of production and that this is the reason they are
opposed to it and said, “What we want is for Turkey to open its market to us.
We want to be able to sell our goods which we produce in TRNC to Turkey. We
want Homeland Turkey to not embargo us
while everyone else does.”