25.11.2016 Antalya
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, who participated in the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Traditional Award Ceremony, pointed out the importance of protecting unity and solidarity and underlined the need to refocus on the economy and reforms in 2017. Hisarcıklıoğlu talked about one of the most important demands of business world in Antalya, means of access to opportunities regarding employment costs and finance.
At the award ceremony
held at the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives of the
business community who gave the most in taxes, who contributed the most to
employment, exports and production were awarded. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu
gave a message of unity and solidarity in his address at the event.
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that if unity is preserved, all problems could be
solved, “Because unity brings success. We say there is grace and prosperity in
unity; anguish in dissent. When all the institutions act together in Antalya,
it always works well. Antalya has become Turkey’s most cherished center in tourism.
It is also a leading province in the fields of fruit and vegetable production,
greenhouse agriculture and floriculture. How did Antalya manage all this? Who
did it? This was accomplished with the efforts and enthusiasm of the
entrepreneurial people who are present in this hall.”
- The Credit Guarantee Fund has increased its power. Respite
Credit arriving
Stating that 2
important steps in financing are about to enter into effect, Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “The Treasury's support to the Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF) has increased from
1 billion to 2 billion. We have expanded our scope. Eximbank and KOSGEB provide
surety for the support. You do not need to go to the KGF, it has agreements
with 21 banks. Contact the bank you want to draw credit from. Let us vouch for
you. We are approaching the end of TOBB Respite Credit, too. It’s a credit with
a year maturity, 9.9 percent interest rate with surety from the KGF.
An important issue in
financing was in regards to cheques. We took three important steps. First we were
the patrons for the invention of the QR coded cheque. Now, the square check is
becoming mandatory. The entire financial history of the check will be visible.
Thirdly, prison sentences ranging from 1 to 6 months for unlawful use of
cheques. This way, we will restore the reputation of cheques as a financial
tool. Finally we’ve achieved something our whole community can be proud of. As
TOBB and the Chamber-Exchange community, broke the record for aid in the
solidarity campaign for July 15th Martyrs. In 81 provinces, we
collected 54mn TRY. We have provided a quarter of the total aid. We presented
the charity to the President himself. With the efforts and contributions of
Antalya TSO, Antalya was a part of the 10 provinces that gathered the most
aid.”