01.03.2014 Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech at the TÜGİK General Assembly attended by Treasury Minister Mehmet Şimşek that developed countries will come together in a single market in 2 years, “It is imperative that we be a part of this structure.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The USA, Europe and Asia Pacific countries are in
talks to begin a new era in the global economy. 65% of all developed countries
are forming a new market. EU’s importance for us comes to the light here. Goods
are sold to those with cash. We must be a part of this market with all of its
standards.”
The 5th General Assembly of the Turkey Young Businessmen’s Confederation
was held at the TOBB Union Center in Ankara was attended by Treasury Minister
Mehmet Şimşek, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the TÜGİK President
Erkan Güral. Giving the opening speech of the General Assembly, TOBB President
M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the world stands at the brink of three
great changes. Stating that liquidity had decreased greatly since the global
crisis of 2008, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that shale gas would be the new
preferred source of energy instead of petroleum and natural gas. “Natural gas
costs 10 TL while shale gas only costs 3 TL. We are in a period when energy
costs will go down. The USA has one of the largest shale gas reserves in the
world,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out that the USA would become a
production center in the world again. The TOBB President reported that with the
discovery of shale gas and the decrease in energy costs will result in decrease
in costs in general. Stating that there are reserves of shale gas in south east
Turkey and the Trakya region, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that Turkey needs to be a
part of the new world order and market.
- Structural change necessary for
solving current deficit problem
Stating that Turkey’s economy had opened to global trade 30 years ago
and that exports had increased by 50 times while person income has increased by
4 times, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that instability has decreased in Turkey in
the last 10 years and that Anatolian entrepreneurs have achieved great
successes. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the most problematic
issue is the current deficit and that it needs to be solved, “We achieved
greater growth with less current deficit in the past. Now, we are unable to
reflect our efforts unto growth despite accruing current deficit. Turkey should
not forget its industrial growth. We’ve seen significant contributions from the
service sector in terms of employment, however we must focus on technology based
production and exports. We need a structural change in the industry. We must
sell goods which are high in worth, low in weight and of a high technological
caliber.”
- Businessmen can’t be negative
Emphasizing the need take exports to far markets, Hisarcıklıoğlu said
that lowering energy and transportation costs is imperative for Anatolia to
trade with Europe. Hisarcıklıoğlu went on to provide information regarding the
BALO Project which aims to address this issue.
Pointing out that businessmen must always be positive and have a
positive outlook, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “If we are negative, the first one to
lose from it will be us. We must have a positive outlook without being divorced
from reality. I’ve always looked forward, never negatively. No one can stop Turkey.
I believe that heartily.”
- Treasury Minister Şimşek
In his speech, Treasury Minister Mehmet Şimşek stated that there is no
need for pessimism in Turkey. Stating that as a result of increased tax share
in education, they would catch up to the education level of OECD countries in a
few years.
Şimşek went on to touch on the subjects of institutional quality,
competitiveness, private sector debt, energy independence, work life, parity
and the Kurdish problem.
- TÜGİK President Güral
TÜGİK President Erkan Güral said that Turkey’s dynamism in foreign
affairs and new vision gives them great excitement. Providing information in
regards to TÜGİK’s efforts, Güral spoke in regards to finding new markets for
entrepreneurs and increasing woman employment.
Following the speeches, Güral presented Şimşek and Hisarcıklıoğlu with
plaques.
TÜGİK General Assembly held elections presided over by current President
Erkan Güral with a single list.