02.11.2019 Mersin
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu participated in the Mersin Citrus Festival.
TOBB
President Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at the opening of the festival, expressed
his happiness at being in Mersin, the pearl of the Mediterranean, and attending
the 7th World Festival. Mersin expressed his wishes for the Citrus
Festival to be auspicious.
Hisarcıklıoğlu,
noting that he witnessed such festivals in many cities, said, “But I'm telling
you, Mersin is the best in this business. From the design of the business to
the logistics, you've organized a world-class festival. It should become an
international festival. This is what Mersin and the residents of Mersin
deserve; I congratulate all of you. Do you know the trick to achieve this? Our
experienced governor, our Mayor, Rector, District Mayors, Mersin Commodity
Exchange, Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mersin Maritime Chamber of
Commerce, other NGOs are all here. They have come together hand in hand.
They're united around the city's landmark, citrus. They are doing their part to
increase Mersin's brand value.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu,
touching on the importance of the saying, ‘Grace and prosperity in unity;
anguish in dissent,’ said, “Grace and prosperity have come. I heartily
congratulate everyone who has contributed, especially our governor, our mayor.
A Special thanks to My President of Mersin Commodity Exchange, Ömer Abdullah Özdemir.
As the festival's executive committee chairman, he has shouldered a serious
burden. He planned this immense organization and put it into practice with his
team. I am proud of my brother Ömer Abdullah Özdemir for his beautiful
understanding and success, and I heartily congratulate him.”
Stating
that citrus is very important for Mersin, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Mersin produces
25% of Turkey's citrus and 37% of its citrus exports. A lot of families are earning
their living from it. It's the backbone of the city's economy. I'd like to open
a special bracket here. Instead of just selling citrus fruits, we should sell
it by adding value. We need to do things that will add value to the citrus;
everything from its juice to dried fruits. Mersin has the vision and potential
to do this, and the value of this festival goes far beyond that. Look, there
are people from 30 countries here, and this is a very visionary step towards
the branding of Mersin, not just Citrus. Just as products and services have
brand value, cities now have brand value. Cities, not countries, are competing in
the world. The world's 600 most important brand cities, make up half of the
world economy.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu,
stating that Mersin has a great potential, “Mersin is a very important
agricultural city. The city that feeds Turkey its fruit and vegetables. Mersin
is also an industrial city. There are 1,500 industrial plants here, 9 of
Turkey's 1,000 largest industrial organizations. Mersin is a city of trade and
fairs. Next year, this city will host 12 fairs. Mersin is a city of education.
It has four universities, and Mersin is a tourist city. Do you know what they
call it? They call it the Miami of Turkey. Have you seen Miami? Look at this
coastline, that's Miami. With all its potential, its nature, its climate, there
is no city like Mersin. Allah willing, Mersin's future is bright. As long as we
maintain unity there. Let's be one and together. Let's not alienate each other.
Then no one can hold Mersin back. We will see grace and prosperity.”