03.10.2019 Silifke / Mersin / Turkey
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, attending the 2nd Leadership Academy, gave a speech at the panel on the relationship between geographical markers and agriculture and rural development.
TOBB
President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech, Silifke Chamber of Commerce and
Industry has put forth an important vision and said, “They accomplished a first
in Turkey and is now doing it a second time. It brought together expert names
and academics in many areas from entrepreneurship, trade and development to
personal development. In addition, they managed to mobilize all of Mersin on
this subject. Everyone did their part for this. It is admirable for the public
and private sectors to come together in this hall. I would like to express my
gratitude to our Chambers in Mersin, Mersin University and TOBB ETU, and also
to the Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality and to the Governor.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated that the subject they always emphasize is the meeting of the business
world and the universities, “Here we see a good implementation of this.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated that it is very important for chambers / exchanges to be in close
relationship with TOBB ETU and that TOBB ETU is the university of the Turkish
business world, and he wanted them to make use of this opportunity.
Stating
that the Silifke Chamber of Commerce and Industry has accomplished its job
admirably Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As you know, the Silifke strawberry is known throughout
the world not just in Turkey. But that is not enough. You must claim it and
turn it into more profit. This is why our Chamber began work to acquire
geographical mark for the Silifke strawberries and has gotten results. Up next
is the registration of Silifke yogurt, for which efforts are already underway.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated that the Silifke Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also an accredited
chamber and confirmed international organizations to provide its members 5-star
service quality at European level.
Touching
on the importance of regional products, the TOBB President stated that the more
the regional products are marked, the more they will win.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated that the way to prosperity is in geographically marked products and that
the geographic mark means added value; selling products for 2 liras instead of
1.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stressed that only the products must be marked not only in Turkey but the European
Union as well and marketed globally.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
reported that currently 400 geographical marks are present for products in
Turkey, “We have three registered products in Europe. We need to protect our
products. The baklava was almost registered by the Greeks. Gaziantep registered
it as a result of our efforts. We couldn't claim our yogurt, but we got the
baklava, figs and apricots. This is the way to earn more. International
supermarket chains want this from Turkey. But the geographical mark is a must. The
more value we hold, the wealthier we will be. We must protect our products. We are
following up on the registration process of 15 of our products at the EU as
TOBB.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
touched on YÖREX local products fair in Antalya and said that they will be bringing
retailers and producers together in these fairs in 7 regions.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
pointed out that each province and every region has various products and said
that the chambers / exchanges started to claim the local products.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “There reclaiming lost opportunities. We must stop complaining and move
forward. This is our duty.”