22.08.2019 Ankara
The Congress of Insurance Agents was hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech at the close of the congress, stressed that without the concept of insurance, the economy and its trade have no chance of growth. Hisarcıklıoğlu said: "Insurance is not a luxury but a mandatory requirement.”
The Congress of Insurance Agents, which brings together the insurance
agents, which is the most important distribution channel of the insurance
sector, was held at TOBB Twin Towers. Provincial delegates of insurance
agencies, representatives of sectoral institutions and organizations, members
of the relevant professional committee of chambers of commerce and industry,
representatives of professional non-governmental organizations and other sector
representatives attended the Congress held for the first time.
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu addressed the participants in
the last part of the Congress. Focusing on the importance and necessity of the
insurance sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “The insurance sector would not be
without insurance companies and insurance companies would not be without
agents.” Explaining TOBB SAİK's work and achievements, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that many firsts were achieved through the executive committee and that it was
a role model in the provision of professional discipline. The president of TOBB
explained that the foundation of the chamber system is based on the ahi-order
and guild system in Anatolian culture and said that the elements of the system,
which include accepting those who provide professional competence to the
profession, record keeping, training and discipline in order to provide
punishment when necessary, were also brought to the insurance sector.
- “Let's grow insurance by
reducing risk”
Expressing that the economy cannot grow without insurance,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “in the modern world, the way to grow the economy and
increase trade is insurance. You can't grow the economy without insurance. Remember,
you have a long way to go. The future of this profession will be brighter
tomorrow. If we want to grow the economy, we need to replicate insurance by
reducing risk. This is a mandatory need.
We need to raise awareness of our people and the business community. That's why
I always say: promote credit insurance everywhere. Just don't get stuck on
traffic insurance. See also different areas of the spectrum. Progress happens
with differences.”
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, who gave a message of unity and
togetherness in his speech, said: “If you do this, you will be the winner.
Remember, there is mercy and blessings in unity and torment in separation.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu added that he is ready to help insurance agents in all
their troubles.
- Other speakers
Hakan Ülken, a member of the board of Directors of TOBB, who spoke at
the opening section of the Congress in the morning, stated that they had made
significant progress in the development of the sector with the Executive
Committee of Insurance Agencies (SAİK). He said: “Important decisions were made
12 years ago by regulations in the Insurance Law. We have said for years that
the insurance system should be separated from the banking system. We stated the
necessity of the Insurance Regulation and Supervision Board. These days, we are
at the beginning of a revolutionary process. Work has been started to bring the
board to life. The insurance sector will now have an independent board.”
TOBB SAİK Chairman Levent Korkut also said that the insurance companies
had made attempts to end the application of different prices between
distribution channels.
Reminding that the use of insurance policy as a promotional tool was
banned a week ago, Korkut said: "We continue to fight against pirate
agents, illegal structures, those who try to steal our bread. We have our
agencies organized in the form of branches under strict control. We are
constantly monitoring branch activities. We're making the necessary
interventions."
Turkish Insurance Union Secretary-General Mehmet Akif Eroğlu mentioned
the importance of the sector for the country's economy and said that work
should be done to make more difference.
Eroğlu said they paid 35 billion Turkish liras in compensation last
year and the sector turnover was 190 billion liras. He said: “Our economy is
ranked 17th in the world, but we are ranked 39th. The size of the insurance
sector in the European Union is 62 percent of total banking and assets, while
we only have 5 percent. If we did this rate of 25 percent, we would provide a
great resource to the economy. If we grow, these financial fluctuations in the
country, all these pressures on the foreign exchange and the stock market will
be reduced.”
Participants also visited Anıtkabir as part of the Congress, where
current issues related to the agency profession will be evaluated.