27.11.2017 Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at Ankara's Chamber of Commerce's “Best of Ankara Award Ceremony” organized at the ATO Congresium, thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his result-oriented support on behalf of the business community, enabling 3 important steps in the to be taken in employment, financing and domestic automobile production.
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at Ankara's Chamber of
Commerce's “Best of Ankara Award Ceremony” attended by President Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan, emphasized that the meeting is a day of pride for the business community
of Ankara, pointing out that President Erdoğan has a business background, Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “For this reason, we share our problems, our troubles easily with him; we
always feel his support, he is an interpreter for our feelings, and instantly
produces solutions. In just 2017, we have taken 3 important steps together.”
- Important steps taken in 2017
Hisarcıklıoğlu described the steps taken in the fields of employment,
finance and domestic automobile production: “In employment, we stated that
there is a need for something new to encourage and reward the private sector. President
Erdoğan immediately gave instructions at the TOBB Economy Summit in February.
Employment mobilization began. There was a historical amount of support. On
this count, we increased employment very quickly. Allah willing, next month we
will reward the most successful entrepreneurs in employment. Secondly, in financing,
we stated the need to mobilize the banks. Our President has opened the way for
us. With the government, our projects gave SMEs a breath of like. The gears of
the economy began to turn. Chambers-Exchanges in 81 provinces and TOBB pooled all
their resources. With banks, we agreed on a loan rate of 9.9% per annum. Thus,
we have had the lowest interest rate applied to commercial loans so far. Our
government, via KOSGEB, provided a business loan of 50,000 TRY with 3-year
maturity and zero interest. The credit guarantee volume of the Credit Guarantee
Fund, KGF, of which TOBB is a founding partner, has been increased with the
support of the Government. With these projects, 653,000 companies in Turkey
were able to use bank loans. We now want to see similar steps from our banks. The
President has not left us alone. We raised our voices against high interest
rates together under his leadership. In our 73rd General Assembly, the
President issued us a call. Turkey's car should be made by TOBB’s community. We
said, 'If you’re with us, we'll do it.’ We’ve been busy working and we found 5
volunteers. We are excited to be able to achieve a first in our history. I hope
the first prototype will emerge in 2019. Commercial sales will start in 2021.
We do not see this as just a car project. Turkey's automotive project will also
ensure our country's industrial and technological transformation.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
In his speech, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “It is impossible
for a state with weak economy to invest in infrastructure and other services to
satisfy the nation. It is not possible for such a state to have a strong army.”
Erdoğan said that ATO continues to work as an institution that serves the
citizens of Ankara, its businessmen and tradesmen in a determined manner.
Erdoğan said that the chamber administration brings together all the segments
who love the nation and that the results they’ve achieved with their pluralistic
structure closely followed and appreciated. Erdoğan, "I thank you for
showing that Ankara is a strong competitor in not just bureaucracy, but also
production, enterprise, export, employment.”
Underlining that a strong economy makes a strong state, President Erdoğan
continued:
“It is impossible for a state with a weak economy to invest in
infrastructure or other services to satisfy the nation, and it is impossible
for such a state to have a strong army. Government policy is decisive in the
economy, but the economy takes its real strength from the nation, and a part of
the value added that the nation produces through hard work, production and
diligence goes to the treasury of the state.
- Customs and Trade Minister
Tüfenkci
Bülent Tüfenkci, the Minister of Customs and Trade, said, “Our tradesmen
and traders said yes to the Presidential Government System prevent any more
plots being played upon our country, and I hope that in 2019 they will act
again as one nation, one flag, one country and one state.”
Tüfenkci stated that Ankara is a city of leading sectors with its entrepreneurs,
industrialists, traders, tradesmen and universities.
- ATO Chairman Baran
Gürsel Baran, Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), said, “We
know that we should work with all of our friends of different political
opinion, without hesitation, without rest, under one flag, with unconditional
independence, united in cooperation for this country's independence and future,
better tomorrows.”
- ATO Parliament Speaker Gürgür
ATO Parliament Speaker Nuri Gürgür reminded that the companies awarded
not only made a profit but also contributed to the economy of the country, “Entrepreneurs
need more than ever to not fall behind in these races where global competition
is most concentrated in economic and commercial areas.”