28.02.2014 Kayseri
Speaking at the “The Future in Kayseri Awards Ceremony,” TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Kayseri, which has only recently discovered that Mt. Erciyes is the gold laying goose, now aims for 4 million tourist visitors, discovering a new market of 4 billion USD.
Organized by the Kayseri Chamber of Commerce (KTO), “The Future in
Kayseri Awards Ceremony” which awards the representatives of the business world
who invest in Kayseri was held at the Kayseri Ommar Hotel, attended by TOBB
President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the Customs and Commerce Minister Hayati
Yazıcı.
In his speech TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Kayseri is a
trade city as well as a role model for Turkey. Stating that the city has
written its own story of success, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In the last 5 years
while the world struggled with economic crises, Turkey penned a story of
success. While 5 million people lost their jobs in Europe, over 5 million
people found gainful employment in Turkey. Employment increased by 40% in
Kayseri while at the same time employment of women increased by 72%. The number
of new establishments increased by 46%. If there was no hope, no desire, would people
open new establishments?”
The TOBB President drew attention to the fact that employment has
increased three-fold in the last 10 years in Turkey, while increasing by four
times in Kayseri with the profitability of the companies there increasing by
twelve times. “Kayseri is a city cast in the mold of commerce,” said
Hisarcıklıoğlu and pointed out that those receiving awards came mostly from
poverty. Stressing that Kayseri is also a role model for education in Turkey,
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that 85% of the school’s in the province were built
by philanthropists.
- Infrastructure necessary for
tourism
Touching on the importance of tourism, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that
tourists coming to Erciyes for skiing would be well off, and that everyone
would benefit from the revitalization of tourism. Pointing out the importance
of summit tourism as well, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “If we are aiming for 4 million
tourists, then the airport must also be ready for this. We must connect with
highways. Tourism cannot exist without transportation. Wouldn’t a high velocity
train suit Kayseri?” expressing their expectations of the central government to
this end.
Customs and Commerce Minister Hayati Yazıcı stated that commerce has
permeated the spirit, soil and soul of the city.
Stating that they put the individual at the center of all their efforts,
Yazıcı emphasized the importance of human values.
Stating that Turkey’s greatest treasure is stability and trust, Yazıcı
said that the activities which fill up the treasury are those which occur in
times of stability and trust.
Touching on their efforts to facilitate the work of entrepreneurs,
Yazıcı said, “In our philosophy, it is not the government which undertakes
trade; it is you. The role of the government in a world of sharp competition is
enabling entrepreneurs. We’ve passed a law for the protection of consumers
which will go into effect in May. We are working on a bill to regulate retail,
planned to go into be passed following the elections.”
KTO Board President Mahmut Hiçyılmaz reported that they plan to open
trade offices in target countries with potential in order to increase exports,
with efforts to open the first office in northern Iraq underway.
Following the speeches, 35 businessmen from other cities who invested in
Kayseri were presented with their awards.