30.10.2018 Ankara
Speaking at the Commodity Exchanges Council Meeting, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that in the last period, due to the rising interest rates, there has been a slowdown in the low-interest loans granted to the agriculture and livestock sector with state subsidies. “We expect a reintroduction of low-interest credit for our industrialists and producers in the agriculture and animal husbandry sector.” Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that TOBB, together with the commodity exchanges, will continue to work for the transformation of the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors.
TOBB
Commodity Exchanges Council Meeting was hosted by M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu at
the TOBB Twin Towers with attendances of Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan and
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli. TOBB President M. Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech at the opening of the meeting, drew attention to
the labor force demand in agriculture and livestock sector. Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “We cannot find people to take on jobs as shepherds or hazelnuts and
apricots pickers. Other countries are now working on this. There are no
children's voices left in the villages. That is why a new social security
system is needed in agriculture and animal husbandry. According to the conditions
of these sectors, a promising system for people, we must implement with your
support.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
pointed out that the two ministries provided significant improvements to the
sector in the last period, “Our Minister of Agriculture and Forestry has opened
the idle treasury lands to the use of agriculture and livestock sector. Our
Minister of Trade also facilitated access to finance by providing a collateral
with the pledge system, animals, trees and agricultural products. I would like
to thank them again.”
- Structure of commodity exchanges
Stating
that they met with the two Ministers to consult on how to increase production,
export, and global competitiveness, Hisarcıklıoğlu praised the ministries' real
sector-friendly working styles. “Our ministers speak the same language as us.
This gives great morale to our business world.” In his speech, TOBB President
gave information about the structure of commodity exchanges. Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “The Commodity Exchanges system was born and spread all over the world.
The first commodity exchange of the world started its operations in this land,
Kütahya Aizonai. Today, Commodity Exchanges are organized agricultural and
animal products markets. The seller and the buyers come together here. Prices are
generated in a transparent manner and in a free competition environment. All transactions,
quantity and prices are recorded, registered. Therefore, the Commodity
Exchanges fulfill a very important mission in the fight against off the record
economy.
Commodity
Exchanges also provide order in the industry. It does this through electronic
sales rooms, accredited laboratories, livestock exchanges and licensed
warehouses. Since 2001, trading volume has increased 14 times. The total
transaction volume last year reached of 250 billion TRY. TOBB and 113 Commodity
Exchanges throughout Turkey are carrying out projects and studies that will
further develop the agriculture and livestock sectors.
In
parallel with the digital transformation in the world, we are developing the Commodity
Exchanges. Thanks to our new registration software, Commodity Exchanges will
become integrated with many related institutions.
On
the other hand, in order to facilitate the safe storage of agricultural
products with licensed warehousing and producers' access to finance, we have
launched the first licensed warehouse in Turkey as TMO and TOBB. Today, with
the efforts of our Commodity Exchanges and our entrepreneurs, licensed
warehousing investments continue to increase. We said that we will establish a
contemporary product specialized commodity exchange with more than 100 years of
experience in the sector. With the support of our government and our
ministries, we have completed the establishment permission of the Company and
the establishment of the company. We also continue our efforts to put into
operation the Product Specialization Exchange in a short time.”
- Commodity exchange contribution
in the registration of geographical markers
Stating
that chambers have become much more active in regards to geographic markers,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said that 40% of the geographically registered products
registered currently have been registered by TOBB-affiliated chambers and
exchanges. Hisarcıklıoğlu added that three regional products (Gaziantep Baklava,
Aydın Grapevine and Malatya Apricot) were registered in Europe.
- Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan
In
their speech, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said, “In the coming period, we aim
to spread the export growth structurally to the long term by investing in
technology, design and branding.
Pekcan
stated that in order to reach our targets, policies should be determined
correctly, the right people should be involved in the process and those who put
do their part should be consulted.
- “Total licensed storage capacity reached
3 million tons”
Pekcan
reported important steps have been taken by the Ministry for domestic trade to
be carried out under more favorable conditions.
“We
have implemented the Licensed Warehousing System for the storage of
agricultural products in a healthy environment and the commercialization of
products in electronic environment. We have implemented very important
incentives, especially for rent, analysis, transportation and loan interest
support for the development of this system.”
Pekcan
stated that the ministry attaches great importance to consultation with the
private sector and has established the Consultative Council to consult with the
umbrella organization of non-governmental organizations of the people who are producing,
exporting and providing employment.
Pekcan
stated that they learned the problems of the sector in the meetings and they
produced instant solutions, and that the complaints received to the Ministry
were examined and received quick turn-around.
- Minister of Agriculture and
Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli
Agriculture
and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said, “Agriculture, agriculture is
really strategic, perhaps even more than defense. Those who can feed the world
will be its leader.”
Pakdemirli
said that the Turkish business have developed rapidly in recent years and have
made significant progress.
Pakdemirli
reported their intention to establish an international company for grain trade,
“A public and private sector joint initiative which will be managed
professionally to market whole grains from Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan.
Turkey will be the logistics base.”
Pakdemirli
stated that the Ministry will conduct the training projects which will make agriculture
and animal husbandry worthwhile again and reported that they are in talks with
the the President of the Council of Higher Education in this regard and will
organize a workshop in the near future.”