21.12.2019 Zonguldak
The Union of Chambers of Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at the Zonguldak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Centennial Anniversary Summit event that Zonguldak would become a center of attraction again, declaring that the Western Black Sea would be the gateway to the world and celebrated the centennial anniversary of the Chamber.
The
meeting, held on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of Zonguldak CCI,
was attended by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan,
Zonguldak Governor Erdoğan Bektas, Zonguldak CCI President Metin Demir,
Zonguldak CCI Council Speaker Zafer Sağlam as well as numerous chamber and
commodity exchange presidents from surrounding provinces and districts. At the
end of the meeting, successful businessmen of the province were also presented
with awards.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
made the following assessments about Zonguldak in his speech here: “We know
Zonguldak as a heroic city that joined the National Militia in the front lines
in the War of Independence. We know it as a city of earnest hard work. We see the
city as one of the cities where industrial culture was first formed. In such an
important city, we have a century-old institution that has taken on the role of
opinion leader of the economy, and our Zonguldak Chamber of Commerce and
Industry works with determination and diligence in a manner befitting the
history and importance of Zonguldak. They’re working to add value to the city. President
Metin Demir is young, excited and professional. Zonguldak CCI works just like a
project factory. He is also a colleague in Ankara. We work together at the CCI Council.
We're taking advantage of your experience. He represents you in Ankara in the
best way.”
- What is required in Zonguldak
Hisarciklıoğlu
stated that he is happy to come together in such beautiful ceremonies with
entrepreneurs who work day and night to produce, export and provide employment,
and said that they deserved these awards. “They contribute to both the
Zonguldak economy and the Turkish economy. In fact, prizes or not, in my eyes,
all our entrepreneurs are individual stars. May Allah make your achievements
permanent.”
TOBB
President Hisarcıklıoğlu, noting that Zonguldak was a city that was only
mentioned with regards to its underground resources in the past, but now the
picture has changed, “Thanks to my entrepreneurial brothers, there is now
trade, there is tourism, there is education,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said, touching on the
work to be done in the city, “There is the Filyos Valley Project (Port,
Industrial Zone, Free Zone) and the sea route will become more active with
Filyos. There's an airline-road-sea-rail, but they need to be used more
effectively. The airport should be open to domestic flights. You are doing the
right thing to diversify the economy and you are establishing a greenhouse specialized
OIZ. President Metin Demir is making great efforts in this regard. I hope
you'll get Zonguldak to do it soon. There is an important potential in nature
tourism. One important issue that will add value to Zonguldak is the Fair.
There's been a serious development, especially in vitreous. You can also do
what İnegol does in furniture.”
- What's been done in the last few
months
Hisarcıklıoğlu
emphasized that a difficult period has been passed, and said that the business
community feels it the most. Stating that in this process, their primary task
is to make sure to gather the problems of the community, of its members as well
as their proposals and convey them to the executives in the government, Hisarciklıoğlu
said, “Recently, many arrangements have been implemented with the demands you
have conveyed to us.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
spoke about the issues that they have been working on in the last few months
and the issues that have been implemented:
“Our
biggest complaint was regarding the banks. On the initiative of our government,
public banks stepped in here. They've cut interest rates a little bit and
started lending new loans. Campaigns launched in housing and automotive
provided a morale boost for our members.
With
the recently announced decision, commercial loan interest rates in public banks
will hopefully fall to single digits. We also continue to vouch for you with
KGF. In the last three years, we have vouched for the 400 billion TL in loans
of approximately 800,000 members.
With
Respite Credits, we have provided 100,000 members with 12 billion TL in cheap
loans. Our second complaint at the banks was high POS commissions. There used
to be no limit. Now an upper limit of 1.6% has been imposed.
In
addition, as a result of your demands, followed up by our chambers and TOBB,
the number of installments in credit card shopping in various sectors has been
increased. Again, another issue TOBB has
been working to address was commercial credit insurance. Public Insurance led
the way. Currently, 16 insurance companies provide commercial credit insurance.
Vocational
Education was very important for our community. Here, we took a very important
step with our Ministry. We worked with our previous rector Mahmut Özer. In
every province, starting with a single vocational high school, Chamber-Exchange
will be paired, having a say. That way, there's going to be qualified employees
that you need.
Another
important issue is the Vocational Proficiency Certificates. Under TOBB, we
established MEYBEM - Vocational Qualifications and Certification Center.
Vocational qualification certificates are mandatory for 143 professions in hazardous
and very hazardous groups. Additionally, it is compulsory in the dealerships,
real estate and service drivers.
Another
issue we had trouble with was the judicial system. Commercial Courts also lasted
3-4 years. We've got the mediation system coming in. First in employee-employer
disputes, and then in all trade disputes, mediation has become mandatory. Now
70% of disputes are resolved without going to court. If you don't agree with
the arbitrator, don't go to court, come to the TOBB Arbitration. It's faster
and it's cheaper. Here, in five months at the latest, commercial disputes are
resolved. All you have to do is write 'TOBB Arbitration is authorized in case
of dispute,’ in your contracts.
Finally,
our community is achieving another historic first. Turkey's automobile project
which President Erdoğan has demanded of us. We found five braves and we got to
work. President Erdoğan will show prototypes to the public. We should all be
proud and happy about this.”
- “We are hopeful for the future”
Stating
that besides the good news, of course there are difficulties, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized
that everything can be overcome through unity. Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that they have
been through many difficulties in the last 30 years, “But we continued on the
road. We got over each bump, we won't be stuck now.
I
believe in the future of my country. Because I know our potential, what we do,
what we can do. I trust Turkey's entrepreneurial power. Keep one thing in mind.
Fighting doesn't solve your problem. It is solved by common wisdom and
dialogue. Grace and prosperity in unity. As long as we don't alienate each
other. Then you will see, we will move our country forward together.”