07.01.2016 Karacabey
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the tax award ceremony and stated his support for agriculture and livestock, stressing their importance. Stating that Karacabey has great potential in the fields of agriculture and livestock farming, Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined the fact that there is a very promising future for these fields.
Karacabey Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Karacabey Commodity
Exchange Joint Awards Ceremony was held at the Karacabey Taha Wedding Hall.
Attending the ceremony were TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu as well as
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Çelik, Bursa Governor Münir Karaloğlu,
AKP Bursa Parliamentary Representative Hüseyin Şahin, BTSO Chair İbrahim
Burkay, Bursa Commodity Exchange Chair Özer Matlı, SÜTAŞ Board Chair Muharrem
Yılmaz, TOBB Board Members and many chamber and exchange chairpersons.
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech that the
real reason he has visited Karacabey so many times is the outstanding tableaux
which greets him each time he visits, “Underlying Karacabey’s prosperity is
this unity. You won’t easily see its like elsewhere. Karacabey is the pride of
Turkey.” Adding that Karacabey has an active women entrepreneurs council,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “However there are no women on the council. We want at
least one women member of the council at the elections next year.”
Pointing out that Karacabey Chamber and Exchange are undertaking many
successful endeavors, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Five-starred chambers and exchanges
are undertaking very important projects. Karacabey Chamber of Commerce and
Industry has taken on the project of founding a large vocational training
facility to Karacabey. The Karacabey Exchange opened the sales and conference
halls while now it has taken on the dehumidification facility’s premises; it is
constructing the 2nd phase of the Agriculture Market; they’ve handed
over the hospital premises as well. The only complaint I have is that there are
no women among the council members. Take a look at the Bursa Women
Entrepreneurs Council, Karacabey Women Entrepreneurs; they are doing a terrific
job. Karacabey Women Entrepreneurs have launched a Shopping Festival. It was
great. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Chamber, Exchange, Governor,
and the municipality for their support.”
Stating that all sectors but food has an alternative, Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “7.5 billion people have to consume food. The demand for food increases
each year. A population the size of Turkey is added to the global population
each year. Food producers are decreasing while consumers are increasing. In the
last 15 years, 500,000 people have moved to urban centers from rural in China
and India. They have ceased to be food producers, becoming consumers instead.
In short, it is inconceivable that a city active in agriculture should not be
prosperous in this day and age. You couldn’t if you tried. The only catch is
that you must conduct it on global standards.”
- Food, Agriculture and Livestock
Minister Faruk Çelik
Speaking prior to the ceremony Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister
Faruk Çelik said, “I am very pleased to be in Karacabey to present awards to
those who contribute to the economy. This was the first place I visited after
my appointment as minister. I would like to thank you all for your well wishes.
We will work together closely in all aspects to identify and solve problems.”
Stressing the need for a change of perspective for commodity exchanges,
Minister Çelik stressed the need for exchanges to become avenues of added value
for farmers. He stated that exchanges must also pioneer the way forward in
regards to licensed warehousing, that the law concerning licensed warehousing
was enacted with just this in mind.
- Other speakers
Governor Münir Karaloğlu expressed his pleasure in presenting awards to
business people who generate value for the economy.
Karacabey Mayor Ali Özkan stated that the İstanbul-Bursa-İzmir Highway
will contribute greatly to the trade of agricultural products.
KTSO Chair Naci Güncü also touched on the various endeavors of the
Chamber and stated that with the completion of the highway and high speed train
connections to Karacabey, it stands to be a strong contender for South
Marmara’s production and logistics base.
Following the speeches, 42 KTSO members and 32 KTB members received
their awards from Minister Çelik, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, Governor Münir
Karaloğlu and various protocol members attending the ceremony.