24.10.2018 Antalya
Speaking at the 9th Regional Products Fair (YÖREX) held in Antalya, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said that 40% of the geographically marked products are registered by the Chambers-Exchanges. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “A geographical mark means wealth. If you want to be rich, take care of them and brand them.”
Regional
Products Fair (YÖREX), which was hosted by Antalya Commodity Exchange, saw
representation with stands of the Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of TOBB.
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Register the geographically
marked products in your city. Thankfully, 40% of the geographically marked
products were registered by our Chamber-Exchange. The number of products
registered by our Chambers has exceeded 150.”
- Congratulations to chambers which
have registered goods in Europe
Hisarcıklıoğlu
emphasized that work does not end with domestic registration and pointed out
that the important thing is to achieve registration abroad and to enter foreign
markets. Stating that the 3 products registered in Europe so far are the
Gaziantep Baklava, Aydın Grapes and Malatya Apricots, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I
congratulate Gaziantep Chamber of Industry, Aydın Chamber of Commerce and
Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We also work for the registration of
our other products in the EU. We need to increase the production, trade,
consumption and control of geographically marked products. Our Ministry of Commerce
has provided 1% shelf allocation for regional products. However, in this
arrangement, we see the use of geographically marked products. We need to
ensure that the geographically marked products take the place they deserve on
the shelves of the retail sector.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu,
especially thanking women entrepreneurs for taking ownership of geographically
marked products at the end of his speech, said, “I am proud of them because of
their excitement and vision. As TOBB, we will continue to provide all kinds of
support to geographically marked products. I congratulate everyone who worked
hard for YÖREX.”
- Other speakers
President
of Turkish Patent and Trademark Authority (TURKPATENT) Dr. Habip Asan also
stated that they are protecting the cultural and historical values of the
country with geographical markers that guarantee a certain quality and
traditional authenticity.
Antalya
Governor Münir Karaloğlu highlighted the great contribution of YÖREX in the
immense strides in the development of packaging, marketing, branding, exports
of regional products.
Antalya
Mayor Menderes Türel also drew attention to Turkey's agricultural potential,
production culture, geographical structure as well as it being the richest
country in the world in terms of traditional and regional products with
cultural diversity.
Antalya
Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Davut Çetin reported that in just a
few years, the number of geographical marks are nearing 800.
Stating
that brands, patents and geographical signs are the title deeds of our era,
Çetin said, “We are transitioning to a digital economy and intellectual
property laws are of vital importance in a digital economy.”
Antalya
Commodity Exchange President Ali Çandır stated that YÖRREX aims to take
ownership of and to protect regional and traditional values forgotten by the
wayside.
After
the speeches, Hisarcıklıoğlu, Asan and their retinue visited the stands, tasted
the products that were offered to them and received information about
production.