03.05.2014 Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, emphasizing that as a primary tenet of the business world, those who cannot manage their budgets cannot grow, stated that the same principle applies in regards to the country’s economy.
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey High
Coordination Council and Strategy Development High Council Joint Meeting was
held at the TOBB University of Economics and Technology, hosted by TOBB
President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and attended by Minister of Finance Mehmet
Şimşek.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu
pointed to Minister Şimşek as a symbol for success as a result of hard work and
determination, “He has adopted disciplined labor into his character. During his
term, he has achieved great success through diligent work, becoming a household
name in budget management. He was elected Treasury Minister of the Year in
2013.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that despite undergoing one of the worst global
crises, Turkey’s budgetary tendencies have preserved their positive direction
and it has upheld Copenhagen Criteria.
The TOBB President thanked Minister Şimşek for his disciplined stance on
behalf of the Turkish private sector.
- “Those unable to manage their
budget cannot grow”
Emphasizing that those unable to manage their budget cannot grow their
business, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The healthy growth and development of the
country, the progression of the sector and prosperity of the people are all dependent
on the proper management of budget. We have experienced firsthand the effects
of failure to do so. Thankfully, due to strong reforms in recent years in
Turkey, growth and development has been mostly in the field of a robust
financial infrastructure.
On the one hand, efforts are underway to lighten the private sector’s encumbrances
while on the other hand public spending is being tied into certain criteria.
Additionally new regulations are being implemented in regards to debts,
treasury bureaucracy and the online implementation of certain processes.
The number of installments for taxpayers experiencing difficulties in
paying taxes have been increased. A new application has entered into operation
to facilitate the payments of tax returns. We find all of these developments to
be steps in a positive direction and thank the Minister and relevant
bureaucrats for their contributions to this end.”
- “Unprepared countries are being
left behind through reforms”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they want the reform process to continue with
increased speed, said, “You must keep in mind these two facts: First, the
global system is functioning faster than ever before. The conditions of
business and its rules are changing so quickly that countries unable to keep up
through reforms are being left behind.
Secondly, competition between countries is more intense than ever. When
you enact reform, your competitors enact bigger reforms. Those who pull ahead
in a race of reforms, win; those who lag behind, count in place. That is why we
must talk about a marathon of reforms instead of packages.”
- “One of the most important
fields for reform is in regards to addressing off the record economy”
Stating that we must come to view reforms as occasional gift wrapped
presents but instead view them as a way of life, the TOBB President said, “Only
then will Turkey reach her goals; her citizens become richer.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that one of themost important fields
for reform is in regards to addressing off the record economy, and that, as the
private sector, they fully support Treasury Minister Şimşek’s determined
efforts to address the issue.
- Treasury Minister Şimşek
Minister of the Treasury, Mehmet Şimşek, provided information on their
efforts regarding financial reforms.
He went on to talk about the current deficit, public spending, interest
rates, austerity measures, streamlining of bureaucratic procedures.
Having successfully implemented 2 action plans in regards to
off-the-record economy, Minister Şimşek reported that they are making the
preparations for a third one, with the goal of increasing resources without
interfereing with interest rates or raising taxes.
Şimşek stated that once political stability has been reassured following
the elections, interest in Turkey from Gulf countries has returned, indicating
that flow of funds into the country will continue.
Prior to the meeting, Treasury Minister Mehmet Şimşek and TOBB President
M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu toured the TOBB ETU Technology Center were briefed in
regards to the Technology Center which is comprised of 74 research labs, 13
design studios and 37 training labs as well as housing the world’s largest
Water Turbine and Testing Laboratory (ETÜ HİDRO).