25.05.2016 Konya
Speaking at the 4th International Future of the Automobile Sector and Convergence for Solution Conference, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the potential of the automobile sector in Turkey, “We have plans for Turkey, which has become a production base for the automobile sector, to become a technology and design base. The ideal place for investment by Europe and the Middle East is Turkey.” Hisarcıklıoğlu, in regards to its ambitions in being the host for the domestic automobile, said, “Domestic automobile will raise Konya to champions’ league.”
The 4th International Future of the Automobile Sector and
Convergence for Solution Conference was held at the Konya Dedeman Hotel with
the attendance of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. Attending the meeting
were Konya Chamber of Industry Council Chair Memiş Kütükçü, Industry, Commerce,
Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Commission Chair Ziya
Altunyaldız and TÜBİTAK Deputy Chair Prof.Dr.Mehmet Çelik as well as many
private sector representatives.
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech that Konya
is the homeland of wisdom and plenty, pointing out that it has been the pioneer
for Anatolia in regards to industrialization. Stating that Konya has put in the
effort to be the center for the production of the domestic automobile,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Konya began this journey in 2008 at the automobile sub-industry
solution convergence project. Afterwards, it held a series of OSEG conferences
on “R&D and Innovation,” “Electric Automobiles,” “Domestic Engine”. We are
here for the fourth in the series, “Domestic Automobile”. I would like to
congratulate the Konya Chamber of Industry for their vision. It would be
fitting that the domestic automobile be produced by Konya.”
- Praise for Konya’s production
power
While there were 13 Konya industrialists among Turkey’s top 1,000
industry firms 10 years ago, this number has doubled since then, said
Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on:
“It would be befitting of Konya to reach greater goals. Konya is one of
the ancient capitals of civilization for us. This new century in which we find
ourselves, we are fighting to build a new civilization. The way to achieve this
is to be strong in science, industry and technology.
All influential nations of the world are strong in these fields. Everyone
has recognized the value of the production industry. In order to achieve a leap
forward in production, we must focus on domestic, innovative and green production.
In the past we tripped ourselves over the domestic automobile as well as the
domestic aircraft projects due to incompetent administration. Thankfully today
we have more able and confident administrators in both the public and private
sector. There is a can do attitude and a confident business culture. The
results are evident in Konya and Turkey.”