25.11.2015 İstanbul
Speaking at the 31st İSEDAK Meeting also attended by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ,TOBB President and Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Vice President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The wealthiest member of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation is 630 times richer in terms of national income per capita than its poorest member. This should deeply disturb all of us. We are from a culture which would not sleep easy when their neighbors went hungry.” Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that it is only possible to for Islamic countries to increase prosperity and decrease this unjust income disparity by increasing trade between Islamic countries.
The 31st İSEDAK Meeting on development in Islamic countries,
convened at the İstanbul Congress Center. TOBB President and Islamic Chamber of
Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Vice President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu
extended his thanks for the opportunity given to the business community at the
31st İSEDAK Meeting. Stating that President of the Republic of
Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been especially sensitive to the problems,
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that President Erdoğan has always supported those who
share similar values like those Syria and Somalia.
- World is undergoing rapid
change
Touching on the fact that the world has been undergoing a period of
rapid change since the global economic crisis, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Economic
and political balances are shifting; we are experiencing the birthing pangs of
a new period. This is a time when those who can observe and prepare accordingly
will prosper as a result. We, the Islamic world, must observe the world
carefully. We must see the change. In preparing for this new global period, we
must also look to ourselves for introspection.”
Stating that as Islamic countries, they are sitting on an invaluable
treasure, TOBB President and Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and
Agriculture Vice President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu provided information in
regards to the financial state of Islamic countries, pointing out that some
Islamic countries are the poorest in the world while others are among the
richest, “The wealthiest member of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation
is 630 times richer in terms of national income per capita than its poorest
member. This should deeply disturb all of us. We are from a culture which would
not sleep easy when their neighbors went hungry. The only way for Islamic
countries to increase prosperity and decrease this unjust income disparity is
by increasing trade between Islamic countries.”
- Priority is the Preferential
Trade Agreement
Stressing the importance of the Preferential Trade Agreement for
increasing the trade between Islamic countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that this
is the first step in economic cooperation. Pointing out that this means lower
customs costs for some products, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that even this small step
is being met with pushback. Only 12 of 57 countries have signed and ratified
the TPS-OIC.
- Visas and solutions to
financial problems
Pointing out another important issue, the matter of visas,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Under the leadership of President Erdoğan, Turkey has
taken many steps to address this issue. We have seen positive impact in a short
time. Our bilateral trade volume with countries which we’ve waived visas with
has increased significantly. We, the Turkish business community desire the implementation
of a comprehensive and inclusive policy to this end.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu also emphasized the importance of resolving issues with
the utmost expediency and speed; stated that arbitration provides the necessary
tool to address the needs of business.
Stating that Turkey is the only country in its region which has been
able to prosper without natural resources but rather thanks to its private
sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they are ready to share their experiences in
this matter as the Turkish private sector and TOBB. He said, “We, Islamic
countries, will prosper in sharing our prosperity. Our belief dictates that
giving does not lessen goods, information or experience; it multiplies it.
Let’s not forget that only this way can we raise the prosperity and peace of
the people of the belief.”