22.12.2015 Ankara
Speaking at the Chambers of Commerce Council Meeting, the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the US economy is recovering, “We considered this good news for the global economy. However, that has brought on problems of its own. We used to consider if FED might raise interest rates, whereas now we are trying to figure out how many times it will increase them in 2016.”
TOBB Chambers of Commerce Council Meeting was hosted by TOBB President
Hisarcıklıoğlu with the attendances of Customs and Commerce Minister Bülent
Tüfenkci and council members.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it
would be impossible for Turkey to increase its exports to its 500 billion USD
goal without finding new goods, companies or markets; he stressed the
importance of fostering a culture of innovation.
Stating that Turkey needs a new growth story and a new industry policy,
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the importance they put on the 25 Prioritized
Transformation Programs and the 2016 Action Plan.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that private and public sector cooperation will
allow Turkey to increase its tempo to reach its goals. He stated that 2015 has
been a difficult year for the real sector.
Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that political stability has been achieved
domestically while new upheavals are seen daily throughout the world, “The US
economy is recovering, “We considered this good news for the global economy.
However, that has brought on problems of its own. We used to consider if FED
might raise interest rates, whereas now we are trying to figure out how many
times it will increase them in 2016.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that the developments in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine
present risk, adding that the matter with Russia is affecting especially the
business community in the region; that this is not just an economic matter but
also affects the social structure there.
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that chamber and exchange presidents are
opinion leaders in the East and Southeast Anatolian regions, relaying to them
the issues and suggestions of PM Ahmet Davutoğlu for the region. He stated that
their tax and premium debts would be delayed to May in order to offset the
losses incurred by the troubles in the region.
- Customs and Commerce Minister
Tüfenkci
Customs and Commerce Minister Bülent Tüfenkci reported that exports have
reached 132 billion USD despite regional and global conditions that the
precautions taken have proven valuable.
Stating his priority as Minister is to facilitate legal trade as much as
possible Tüfenkci stressed the importance of speeding up customs procedures in
order to maximize global competitive power of the Turkish business community.
TOBB Chambers of Commerce Council Chair Ekrem Demirtaş stated that it
has been a difficult year with 2 elections, reemerging terror, the refugee and
Russia crises, expressing his hopes for a new year with peace, stability and
economic growth.
Stating that morale of the private sector is quite low, Demirtaş
reiterated their suggestion that taxpayers who pay their taxes regularly should
have access to various financial tools to restructure their debts.