22.10.2014 Antalya
TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that branding brings prosperity and the way to achieve it is through laying claim to regional products.
Held for the 5th time this year by the Antalya Commodity
Exchange (ATB) with the support of the Union of Chambers and Commodity
Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), YÖREX, the Regional Products Fair was held at the
Antalya Expo Center.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the fair, TOBB President M.
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu touched on the importance of branding, “What benefits does
branding provide? A brand product’s value increases tenfold. Prosperity rolls
in when you achieve branding. Lay claim to regional products and prosper. You
prosper once you brand your goods; if not, they become run of the mill
products.”
Emphasizing YÖREX’s importance in promoting regional goods,
consolidating them within the general economy and branding, Hisarcıklıoğlu
called to mind the instance wherein one of the products being promoted in the
last year’s fair was integrated into the Turkish Airlines’ in-flight menu.
Stating that Antalya, one of Turkey’s tourism centers, will be host to
many important organizations in the coming days, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that
the G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in Antalya in 2015 wherein the business
people controlling 85% of the global economy will be meeting with world leaders
at the same time.
- Development Minister Yılmaz
The Development minister Cevdet Yılmaz stated that Anatolia has been
home to many civilizations throughout the millennia, boasting a culture rich
with craftsmanship and that the Regional Products Fair is an important
opportunity to be acquainted with the rich cultural inheritance of Anatolia in
addition to its economic value.
Yılmaz reported that regional products would find stronger support with
the renewed rural development strategy plan presented to the High Planning
Commission.
Yılmaz went on to emphasized the importance of geographical markers for
the preservation of regional goods and be appraised for their true value.
Minister Yılmaz reported there are 179 geographical markers registered
with the Turkish Patent Institute with another 203 under consideration,
pointing out that Antalya has yet to register any geographical markers. He went
on to urge retail companies to support their regions for the benefit of all.
- Other speakers
Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO) Chairman Çetin Osman
Budak pointed out the need for Turkey to market its culture as a part of its
rural development, stating that this is an important step in the process.
Antalya Commodity Exchange (ATB) Ali Çandır pointed out the importance
of the Regional Goods Project for the preservation of prosperity in Anatolia.
Food, Agriculture and Husbandry Ministry Undersecretary Vedat
Mirmahmutoğlulları drew attention to the high return on agriculture sector in
comparison to many others.
Also speaking during the seminar were Metro Wholesale Market Turkey
General Director Kubliay Özerkan and Regional Goods and Geographical Markers
Turkey Research Network (YÜCİTA) President Prof. Dr. Yavuz Tekelioğlu.