05.09.2014 Kayseri
Speaking at the 6th Developing Cities Summit held in Kayseri, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that, in the ever-changing world, cities, not countries, will come to the fore. Hisarcıklıoğlu said that this was the time to be exporting entrepreneurs, not goods.
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President
M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the “6th Developing Cities Summit”
held by the Real Estate and Real Estate Investment Partnership Association
(GYODER) and the Kayseri Greater Municipality. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the
summit had previously been held in Konya and Gaziantep and that the prominent
of characteristic behind the success of these two cities is unity.
Reporting that there are three main topics concerning the international
business community, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:
“Firstly, the rapid expansion of the middle class. Every year, the
population of the global middle class increases by the equivalent of twice that
of Turkey. This greatly increases the importance of urbanization. Within the
next 10 years, 60% of the world’s population will be living in cities with
economic activity also congregating in cities. It is for this reason that smart
cities are gaining importance. We must follow global trends closely. Secondly,
we must have a shared goal for cities. We can achieve our goals if there is
unity and solidarity. Thirdly, the export of goods has been eclipsed by the
export of entrepreneurs.” Stating that 60% of the business creators in the
Silicon Valley were born outside of the USA, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that
all countries and cities are attempting to draw in investors.
Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the fact that services in cities must
focus on three fundamental principles: “Public administration and vision must
be present. But this is not enough; there must also be the cooperation of the
world of academia. Everyone is an equal partner in the Spatial Strategy Plan.
The public administration, private sector and academia must come together and prepare
Turkey’s Spatial Strategy Plan. I would like to thank the administration for
their participatory democracy approach.”
- Environment and Urbanization
Minister İdris Güllüce
The Environment and Urbanization Minister İdris Güllüce spoke in regards
to the development of cities, as well as the considerations administrators and
engineers must have in preserving centuries old values when planning.
Also touching on the fact that Turkey is an earthquake-prone country,
Güllüce stated that this must also be taken into consideration.
Stating that “the New Turkey” is developing in all fields, Güllüce went
on to stress the importance of urban renovation as well as the need to maintain
a multi-focal viewpoint in assessing the needs of Turkey.
Kayseri Greater Municipality Director Mehmet Özhaseki spoke to the
attendees in regards to the investment opoortunities in Kayseri.
- Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Yıldız
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız stated that all
factions who could benefit the development of a city are present at the
meeting.
Stating that industrialization and urbanization processes have economic,
social and political aspects, Yıldız emphasized their effects and people’s
quality of life.
Yıldız went on to call attention to the need for basing the increase of
real-estate value on actual production.
GYODER President Aziz Torun pointed out that real estate sector is
rapidly growing in parallel to Turkey’s economy.