23.11.2017 Frankfurt
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the meeting held in Frankfurt by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce in regards to Turkish Airlines’ direct flights between Ankara-Frankfurt.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it is a day to be proud of being a member of
the Ankara Chamber of Commerce and said, “I’ve had a problem that I’ve been
complaining about for years. We could not find an international flight directly
from Ankara. This meant a waste of 4-5 hours. Let's just say that we had to bear
it as foreign investors, tourists do not like this. Thanks to Chairman Gürsel,
a major problem that we have been struggling with for years has been solved.
Together with his administration he brought this issue up with the President of
the Republic of Turkey, stressing the importance of the issue. He received
support from our Prime Minister and provided this very important service for
Ankara.”
Noting that flights to Frankfurt, Berlin and Vienna have begun,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said that soon other cities, such as Düsseldorf and Amsterdam,
will also be added.
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I hope that Ankara will not only be the gateway as
a city, but one of Central Anatolia to the world. In addition to new trade and
investment opportunities, tourism will also come alive. I am particularly
focused on this topic, because we all should appreciate the Chairman and the
management.”
Emphasizing THE democratic nature of the elections held at the Ankara
Chamber of Commerce, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Naturally, there were arguments and
conflict. Now it is time to leave them behind and work together for Ankara, for
the business community we represent. Because when we are not united, we and all
our community suffer. Was this the first time we experienced such troubles? Grace
and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent. Now we must leave these arguments
behind us.
When we focus on business instead of wasting time and effort polarized,
we accomplish so much good. Next up is the expo, another historic step for
Ankara. Here, too, the chamber has stepped up. As one of the greatest shareholders,
they did not hesitate to put money down for the common good. Hopefully Ankara
will become a much more developed and prosperous city with all these services.
We, too, will be proud of being the largest contributor to ATO.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the former TGNA Speaker and Ankara PM Cemil
Cicek, and Günter Verhaugen, former EU Commissioner for Expansion, for their
participation at the meeting.
- “Chosen as best practice by the
United Nations”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that after his return to Turkey he would be
attending two opening ceremony. “We have completed the construction of the new
passenger hall for the Kapıkule Customs Gate. We are also laying the foundation
for the new customs gate of Hamzabeyli. These are our endeavors, together. Customs
and Tourism Enterprises Co. Inc., in which all of our chambers are partners,
has renovated all land customs gates. This endeavor has been an example for the
world. The United Nations has chosen its work as best practice. According to
the calculations of the Ministry, our exporting companies save 400 million TRY
annually. So when they ask what the Chambers say actually do, you can tell them
they did this as just one of our accomplishments – earning the private sector a
lot of money.
Hisarcıklıoğlu touched on the issue of interest rates, which has been a
hot topic lately: “As TOBB and the Chamber-Exchange community, we have provided
SMEs with zero- or very low interest rates. Under the auspices of our President
and the support of our government, the projects we actualized in 2017 have been
a breath of life for SMEs. The engines of the economy were made to turn. First,
Chambers-Exchanges in 81 provinces and TOBB pooled their resources. We reached
an agreement with banks and provided 10 TRY of new credit to SMEs for every 1 TRY
we collected. The loan interest rate is 9.9% per annum - the lowest interest
rate ever applied to commercial loans. Adjusted for inflation, it was
essentially a zero-interest loan. So far, the real interest rate is even less.
We took the second step with the Ministry of Industry. Through KOSGEB, a
3 year maturity interest free loan of 50,000 TRY was made possible. For step three,
the Credit Guarantee Fund, of which TOBB is a founding partner, was supported by
the government. The limit of credit bail was raised to 250bn TRY. Together with
these three projects, a total of 653,000 companies (-the majority of which were
SMEs) were able to use a total of 232bn TRY in bank loans throughout Turkey.
Our active member count in Turkey is approximately 1.2-1.3 million. Thus, 1 out
of every 2 members, attained access to additional financial tools through TOBB
and the Chamber-Exchange community.
- Employment mobilization started
in 81 provinces with chambers / exchanges
Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that TOBB and the Chamber-Exchange community have
accomplished historic achievements for employment. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The proposal
we made at the TOBB Economy in February has been met with approval by the President
of the Republic. Support for employment has been provided until today. In 81
provinces, our Chamber-Exchange community mobilized. As of last year, we have created
1.5 million additional jobs. All this is possible with the unity of purpose,
hands and hearts of our community.”
Pointing out that there are other troubles, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that
they have the will and possibility to overcome all, “We can provide many such
improvements by acting in unity and solidarity. Problems are not solved by infighting.
They are solved through dialogue. Allah will provide grace and prosperity when
we are united. As long as we do not mislead each other.”
- “We have a chance to reach a 23
trillion-dollar market very comfortably”
ATO Chairman Gürsel Baran pointed out that they have been working abroad
for about a year to increase their international direct flights.
Emphasizing that one of the reasons for being in Frankfurt is to “support
direct flights,” Baran expressed his happiness in attending the first direct
flights to Germany with the council members. “Direct flights are a very
important factor in the development of Ankara for conferences, fairs and health
tourism,” Baran emphasized that the increase of direct flights from Ankara
should not be evaluated only in terms of transportation convenience.
- “We are in the black winter of relations
between Turkey and the European Union”
Former TGNA Speaker Cicek also assessed Turkey's membership process to
the European Union.
Çiçek pointed out that in the period of Günther Verheugen, former
Vice-President of the European Commission, who is currently the TOBB's EU and
German adviser, there were important developments in EU relations and pointed
out, “We are now living in the black winter of relations with the European
Union. A new Verheugen is needed.”
Çiçek said, “We do not enter the European Union as a 'burden', Turkey
needs the European Union just as much as the European Union needs Turkey, which
is a reciprocal exchange, a goal which can be achieved through mutual
solidarity.”