04.01.2022 Adana
M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), participated in the '100th Adana Economic Summit' held under the leadership of Adana Governorship, Adana Chamber of Commerce, Adana Commodity Exchange and Adana Organized Industrial Zone within the scope of the 100th anniversary of the Liberation of Adana.
TOBB President
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Exactly a century ago, our ancestors fight against
oppression and the heroic saga written here not only ensured the liberation of
Adana, but also heralded the great victory that will come with the War for
Independence. Adana is the city of hope and stability. these are the lands
which have birthed Saim Bey, Ali Yaver, Rahmiye Hanım and Mufti Haji Mehmet and
thousands more patriots. It is the name of a spirit and faith that does not
back down in the face of invaders with more powerful weapons, and refuses
living under oppression. This spirit of unity and solidarity rising from Adana
is our greatest strength in the face of threats to our nation, flag, homeland
and state today. Anyone who wants to disrupt the unity and vitality of our
country should know that as long as this spirit and braves are in Adana, no one
can divide this country. I commemorate our ancestors who blessed us with these
days, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Founder of our Republic, and his comrades
in arms, our martyrs who marched to the martyrdom in the defense of Adana and
all our heroes and veterans, with gratitude.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu said
that today, Adana has become a center of trade, industry, agriculture,
education and tourism in a manner worthy of its past. ”Adana became the engine
of industrialization in Anatolia and spread the industry to Anatolia. With its
fertile land, entrepreneurial people, have become the apple in the eye of our
country. There's dynamism, there's movement, there's abundance. It is at the
forefront of trade volume, production and exports. Adana OIZ, where 31 of the
1000 largest industrial organizations of our country operate, is among the top
10 OIZs in Turkey. 35 of the 500 companies ranked in OSBÜK's OIZ Stars Survey
are also here. Adana is also the star of agriculture in Turkey. Çukurova is the
most fertile region of Turkey, one of the largest plains of our country and the
world. In greenhouses, it has managed to become one of the first 3 cities. I
wholeheartedly congratulate the original owners of all these achievements and
my entrepreneurial brothers who work for Adana.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that global national income has shrunk by 3 percent and global trade volume by
8 percent due to the pandemic, that 2020 is the lost year for the whole world,
and that 2021 is partly compensated for these losses and remains behind as a
year of repair. Global national income will also reach $100 trillion for the
first time in history. Our country's economy and industry grew by 12 percent in
the first nine months of 2021. Our exports reached $225.4 billion, up 33
percent from last year, setting a historic record. Our country's share of
global exports has also risen above 1 percent for the first time. Hopefully we
aim to reach $250 billion this year. In Adana, it raised its exports from 1.9
billion dollars last year to 2.5 billion dollars, setting a separate record and
being among the most exporting cities.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the necessity of combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions
necessitates a new and major transformation in the economy. “2021 was actually
the year we started to move from the pandemic to the Green Deal. Our lives are
changing fast. The future is shaping up before our eyes. On climate change, we
are shifting from talking to doing. We are now in the process of calculating
costs for business. Pretty soon, we're going to build our own emissions trading
system and price carbon emissions. This will be the biggest tax reform step to
date. As TOBB, we emphasize the green industrial revolution. Just like we
missed the industrial revolution, we say we shouldn't miss it. We explain that
the green industrial revolution is a comprehensive technological renewal
involving the industrial, agricultural and service sectors. In addition to
green transformation, we should never ignore digital transformation. Those who
ignore digital transformation are bound to lose out eventually. No matter what
we do, we have to digitize our business processes. For this purpose, we offer
all the information and guidance you need. The transformation process we face
also means the need for high capital. We have to reach a structure where
inflation is low, interest rates are reasonable and exchange rates are stable.
With new hopes and new expectations, we are entering a new year. We will
believe in the power of our nation and keep our hopes alive. We will continue
to work tirelessly, without being pessimistic. We will not alienate anyone. We
won't discriminate. I wish that 2022 will be a year of health and peace.”