18.11.2018 Edirne
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said in his speech at the Thrace Regional Consultation Meeting that, “There are ports, airlines, railways and highways in Thrace. Thrace is also a gateway to Europe and next to a rich market with a population of 500 million,” emphasizing opportunities ahead of the region.
The
Thrace Region Consultation Meeting was hosted at the Edirne Chamber of Commerce
and Industry by Edirne Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Recep
Zıpkınkurt with the participation of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu,
Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, Bendevi Palandöken, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle as
well as chamber and exchange presidents of the region’s provinces and counties
as well as council members.
- Thanks from Hisarcıklıoğlu
TOBB
President Hisarcıklıoğlu began his speech by offering his condolences for the
deceased Edirne MP Erdin Bircan. Stating that he was an honorary citizen of
Edirne, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I am proud of being in Edirne. I would like to
thank to Edirne Chamber and Exchange, my brothers Özay and Recep. Today, I
would like to thank the President of TESK, Mr. Bendevi Palandöken and the
Chairman of TİM Mr. İsmail Gülle, who have honored us. I wish success to the
newly appointed governor. We are conducting our consultation meeting in Thrace
Region under the auspices of Minister Ruhsar Pekcan. Thanks to the Minister, she
came to Edirne even though it was Sunday and he helped us to organize a
regional meeting. As you know, the President, with the right vision, has
gathered internal trade, foreign trade and customs in a single ministry.
This
important task has been placed upon one of our community. It is a great
advantage for our country that our Minister is a successful business woman from
the business world who knows very well about investment and trade. It is a
great morale for us to share the same sensitivities, to have a minister who shares
our grief and to see them with us today. We are proud of our Minister Ruhsar
Pekcan who undertakes an important task in this way.”
- The center of agriculture and
animal husbandry
Stating
that Thrace is the center of agriculture and animal husbandry with its fertile
lands, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out the myriad riches of the region with Tekirdağ’s
industry, Edirne’s history and culture, Kırklareli and Çanakkale's natural.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have made significant investments in Thrace in
3 areas and said, “We modernized border gates of İpsala, Hamzabeyli and Kapıkule,
which is the second biggest border crossing in the world. We have made them the
most modern, safest gates in the world. The United Nations has registered them
as best practice. We started work on the Dereköy gate as well, and we are
increasing the capacity of Hamzabeyli and İpsala. We made the Kapıkule TIR park
and we solved the problems there. Second, we made significant investments in
the fields of history and tourism. We paid for the maintenance and repair of
the Selimiye Mosque, one of the greatest works of our history. By establishing
the Selimiye Foundation, we ensured the transfer of this inheritance to future
generations. Thirdly, we worked in the field of education. We built primary
schools, high schools and faculties in our cities in Thrace. And we did all
this in partnership with our Chambers and Commodity Exchanges. We did it together
through unity and solidarity.
- Issues raised by Chambers and
Commodity Exchanges
Stating
that they have come together to hear the problems of producers, traders and
industrialists of Thrace and to talk solution proposals, Hisarcıklıoğlu
reminded that many of the issues raised by the Chambers and Commodity Exchanges
have addressed recently. The TOBB President said, “An arrangement was made to
activate the Short Work Allowance. Problems regarding technical bankruptcy were
resolved. Taxes on automotive, furniture, housing and home appliances were
lowered. Support for licensed warehousing has been improved. Through the great
support and labor of our Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, these found acceptance by the Government.
I
thank her on behalf of all of us.”
- Thrace's vision
Stressing
that all the Chambers and Commodity Exchanges work with all their powers to
carry Thrace into the future, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I
congratulate them for their vision and wish them success in their work. When we
join hands together, we will move both our region and our country forward.”