21.10.2017 Hatay
Reyhanlı Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Reyhanlı Commodity Exchange joint service building were opened with a ceremony. Speaking at the event, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Reyhanlı is Turkey's gateway to the Middle East and said, “Both politically and in terms of business, it is very important. Reyhanlı means Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait. Reyhanlı stands on very fertile lands. Everything grows from wheat to cabbage, from watermelon to zucchinis. Reyhanlı exports flowers to Europe.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I also celebrate our Chamber-Exchange which are hosting
us today. The unity and solidarity of Reyhanlı Chamber and Exchange should be
an example to Turkey. The Chamber and Exchange are in the same service building.
This is what befits our Hatay, the city tolerance. Anguish in dissent; grace
and prosperity in unity. When there is unity and solidarity, success follows.
Look, this new service building is a matter of vision. It is also a pleasure
for the chamber and exchange to be working back to back. We extend our deepest
gratitude to the chairpersons of the Reyhanlı Chamber and Commodity Exchange.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are aware of the burden on Reyhanlı that
the Syrians seeking refuge from the war in Turkey have created, “Hatay and
Reyhanlı have shouldered the heaviest burden for 6 years. We have to share this
burden as the whole country. Regulations are needed to give more public support
to Hatay and Reyhanlı in this regard, and we are working hard in Ankara to have
them passed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the negative developments in
the Middle East are also reflected in Hatay and Reyhanlı. Thankfully efforts to
locate the OIZ by the Chamber and Commodity Exchange have reached their goal.
Cilvegözü Border Gate was reopened. Now we can export agricultural and cleaning
products. We are still working to lift current limitations on iron and steel.”
Noting that Reyhanlı Dam should be completed as soon as possible,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they are working to speed up this process.
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that they are working to ensure that electricity
bills are delayed from harvest to harvest for farmers instead of on a monthly
basis.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Reyhanlı requested a school with 32
classrooms, “We promised to build 81 schools in 81 provinces as TOBB. We've
done this. Next week we are signing a protocol for counties and provinces with the
Ministry of National Education. As a part of this Reyhanlı will receive its
school.”