17.03.2018 Tokat
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the Joint Consultation Meeting of the Tokat Province and Counties. Hisarcıklıoğlu congratulated the Tokat entrepreneurs who kept the promise of employment mobilization, underlining the achievements of the chamber and commodity exchanges in Tokat. Employing an additional 2.6 persons per firm on average, Tokat is providing additional employment, over twice the national average.
- The riches of the city
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, who made a presentation at the
consultation meeting held at the Gaziosmanpaşa University Hall in Tokat, presented
his assessments in regards to Tokat province. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Tokat is
the home of the brave. Home of the hero of Plevne, Gazi Osman Pasha's. Home of
the 15-year-olds who marched to martyrdom in Çanakkale; the city Mevlana
praised as, ‘the city of moderate people and climate.’ Indeed, the fertility of
Yesilırmak Valley gathers on the plains of Tokat. At the same time, Tokat is a
special place where Haji Bektash-i Veli offered a prayer for. Evliya Çelebi
says of Tokat, ‘Tokat, the city of sages, the virtuous and poets.’
Taşhan is a magnificent 400-year-old Ottoman artifact. In contrast to
today's concrete houses, there are beautiful mansions that show the elegance of
the houses in the past. The 'Arastan Bedesten', which Evliya Çelebi talked
about with praise, is one of the oldest trade centers in Anatolia. The Tokat Madrasa
are also among the oldest of Anatolia. Tokat is a place to visit for its
history and nature. Tokat cuisine is also great. Turkey's famous flavor
experts, gourmets, visit often, not without reason. Geographical markers have
been registered for Tokat kebab, Niksar walnut, Turhal yogurtmac, Zile molasses.
Erbaa vineyard leaves, cummin, apple, kömes, grapevine leaves are well known
throughout the country, but deserve to be known even more. One of Tokat's most
important symbol brands is the 1,400-year-old healing source Niksar Ayvaz
water, second in the world in terms of quality. We also export natural sodium
bentonite to many countries of the world. But now we have to find a way to
process it in Tokat and generate added value.”
- Airport will transform city's
appearance
Stating that when Tokat Airport is opened, Tokat's appearance would
change, Hisarcıklıoğlu said Tokat-Niksar-Akkuş-Ünye highway, once completed
would connect Central Anatolia to Karadeniz. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Similar to
Channel İstanbul, ‘Channel Tokat’ is being built on the Yeşilırmak in Tokat . should
be completed by tthe end of this year. Work on New Generation Tokat Industrial
Site has started as a part of the Production Reform Package. Work on
‘Agriculture Specialized Greenhouse OIZ’ is underway in Erbaa. The governorship
is working to have the Ballıca Caverns be included in the UNESCO World Heritage
List. Tokat is a candidate for metropolitan status with all of these
developments.”
- Praise for Tokat chambers and commodity
exchanges
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, praising the unity and solidarity
of Tokat's chambers and commodity exchanges, said, "All chambers and exchanges
are displaying unity and solidarity by holding a joint meeting. By working together
and following up on developments they’ve finally built their school. We just
opened TOBB Sakarya Anatolian High School together at Zile. May it serve you
and Tokat well. Tokat boasts 5 chambers and 2 commodity exchanges. Of these, 2
exchanges and 3 chambers are accredited with another in the process of
acquiring accreditation. What does it mean for a chamber/exchange to be
accredited? It means 5-star service. We are also working together with the
Chamber/Commodity Exchanges chairs in Tokat in TOBB’s various commissions and
institutions. They represent Tokat in Ankara. We take advantage of their experiences.
May Allah bless you all.”
Touching on the number of companies opened in 2017 in Tokat,
Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the figures are above the national average. The
TOBB President noted that, whereas the number of companies in the top 500
industrial establishments 10 years ago was just 1, now it is 2. “Our chambers
and exchanges are doing good works in Tokat. I am following both closely and I
am here to listened to them. For the development and enrichment of Tokat, they’ve
made the sacrifice; they are hard at work. From the chairpersons to administrations;
from councils to the women and young entrepreneurs; from secretaries general to
academic advisors and to all of your employees, may Allah bless them.”
- Endeavors of the Chambers/Exchanges
community
Reporting that with the Industry-Production Reform Package, with the
removal of such added costs as the 2% TRT tax, OIZ real estate tax and stamp tax,
a burden of 1 billion TRY has been gained in savings for the private sector,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We are ranked 60th in the world
ease-of-business index. As one of the top 20 economies of the world, aspiring
to be among the top 10, this is unbecoming of our country. We have planned over
a hundred reforms with various ministries. As an example, the 18 procedures
necessary for construction permits will be simplified down to 6. With changes
to the Building Inspection Law, signatures necessary for construction permit
will be lowered to a single signature from 18. Tax and SSI declarations will be
unified as a single document. A company would be obligated to present between
40 and 50 declarations per year. This will be lowered to 12. Another important
reform is in acquiring VAT returns on which we are working with the Treasury
Ministry. These are all being processed through the TGNA and will hopefully be
passed soon.
Are there no problems at all? Of course there are. But we have the will
and the power to overcome all of them. Look, we've made a lot of improvements
by acting in unity and solidarity. Problems are not solved by fighting. It is
solved by dialogue and common cause. Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in
dissent.”