02.04.2018 Bergama / İzmir
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, participating in the opening ceremony and consultation meeting of the new service building of the Bergama Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that the future of Bergama is brilliant and said, “Let's use our potential to its fullest.” Hisarcıklıoğlu provided information on what TOBB, along with the chambers and commodity exchanges, has done in the past year and stated that Respite Credits will pave the way for SMEs.
Speaking at the meeting hosted by Fikret Ürper, Chairman of the Chamber
of Commerce of Bergama, Hisarcıklıoğlu began his speech by praying for the
grace of Allah upon our martyred soldiers during Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, “May
the grace of Allah be upon our martyrs; rapid recovery for the wounded. May
Allah grant victory to our armed forces and preserve our unity and solidarity.”
Referring to Bergama's history and economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Bergama is
a center of history, tourism, tourism and agriculture with its 2,500 years of
history. It has been inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List; a first for
İzmir and the 13th city in Turkey to be so honored. He went on to
say, “It is a must for those who wish to witness ancient history. The first
library of Asia was established here. Parchment paper was invented here.
Parchment actually gets its name from Pergamon/Bergama. Psychotherapy was also
applied here first. In other words, Bergama is a center that has given
direction to civilization, from past to present. Moreover, not only in history,
but also in agriculture, mineral wealth and natural resources. It is built on
fertile the Bakırçay plain lands. You have fertile soils, natural hot springs
and water resources. Work on the establishment of the Western Anatolian Free
Zone has also started. The railway will extend from Aliağa to Bergama. İZBAN is
planned to reach Bergama as well. All of these will further improve the trade
and industry of Bergama, especially the OIZ. The future of Bergama is
brilliant, so let's make good use of the facilities available.”
- Bergama's treasures
Stating that Bergama also endeavors preserves to protect its history and
values, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, when he visited Bergama,
proposed holding Turkey's first and the world second local festival, and you
have been holding it without fail since 1937. The only other city to do this is
Nice, France. You recognize Bergama's cultural, historical and natural wealth,
both for our country and the world.” The TOBB President noted the importance of
geographical markers for prosperity, pointing out that 80% of pine nut
production in Turkey comes from the Kozak Plateau of Bergama, “A world famous
flavor; to protect it, the Bergama Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ürper took the
initiative. Bergama has registered Kozak pine nuts. In addition, Bergama
received a geographical marker for its granite. Now these 2 treasures of
Bergama are under protection, paving the way for even more prosperity.”
- Chamber's
services
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Bergama Chamber of Commerce is very active in
the field of education, said, “Bergama is leading the way to make Vocational
and Technical Anatolian High School in OIZ. İŞKUR service point is also
operating within the chamber. Members who are looking for qualified staff come
to us and use the chambers.” Hisarcıklıoğlu informed that the Bergama Chamber
of Commerce became an accredited Chamber in 2014 and provides 5-star service, emphasizing
that the new service building is also a matter of vision. TOBB President
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I congratulate you on the 2 points: First, for naming the
conference hall after Ali İhsan Süter, for showing respect to those who paved
the way for us. Secondly making progress towards inclusivity with, Gonca Harman
on the board of directors. Hopefully this will present an example to other chambers
and we will have more women councilors and board members. Thanks to everyone
who serves the chamber, from the Chamber to the Council; from the Secretary
General to employees. With the efforts of my brother Fikret, we took two very
important steps as Chambers/Exchanges. First, online document. Now you can get
instant documents from your home, workplace. You do not have to come to the chamber.
Chambers are no online. Secondly, chambers have become Single-Stop-Shops for company
establishments. All setup operations will take place in our Chambers. We
reduced the number of transactions from 7 to 1.”
- As TOBB,
what have we done in the last year?
Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating TOBB has undertaken many important services for
the business community with the chambers and commodity exchanges, pointing that
27,900 companies took advantage from respite credit loans at a rate of 9.9%,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated signatures were set down for the second round of Respite
Credits with the attendance of Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım. He stated that
the project would ensure a solution to difficulties faced by SMEs in attaining
financing. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We conducted the launch in İzmir on Saturday
with Prime Minister Yıldırım. You can make use of it. TOBB and the
Chambers/Exchanges once again took the initiative. The loan volume is of 7.5
billion TRY. We are working with 6 banks: Ziraat, Foundation, Halk, Deniz,
Ziraat Participation, Foundation Participation. With the current deposit
interest rate being 15% and with 11.88% annual interest, we provide 6 months’
grace period with an 18-month maturity. We have set a minimum limit of 200,000
with no upper limit. The KGF also guarantees 85% of the loan. The maximum cost
is 51 TL. The process is simple: take out a proof of activity from the chamber,
go to the bank, use the loan.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that KOSGEB, which he serves in the Board of
Directors, provided credits of approximately 8 billion TRY to 290,000 companies
with a 0-interest, 3-year maturity. He also said that they provided bail for
364,000 companies as loan guarantee fund as well. Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized
that they provide bail of 17 billion TRY to 29,000 companies in İzmir. The TOBB
President in reported that they’ve provided financial solutions fro 681,000 companies
throughout Turkey.
- Great
moves in employment
Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that the biggest complaint of the business world
is the high cost of employment. He said that, as a part of the employment mobilization,
historical support has been given to the business community in 2017.
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “When you hire a new person, the tax premium is funded by
the state. You will only pay your salary. Incentives have been in place for
three years. We are having a lot of reforms to save you from the bureaucracy
and make it easier for you to do business. There were 18 different procedures
for building permits, which have been reduced to 6. The number of signatures in
the construction license has also been reduced from 18 to 1.”
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “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. We have only one wish
from the government. Let us compete on equal footing with our competitors.
We'll take care of the rest.”
- School
promise
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu responded positively to the
demands of the Bergamans at the end of his speech and said, “If Allah grants us
time and opportunity, we will build it.”