26.09.2022 Afyonkarahisar
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu opened the İsçehisar representative office of the Afyonkarahisar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In his speech here,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they came to Afyonkarahisar for good deeds and said,
“First of all, we will open the new representative office of our Chamber here.
Afterwards, we will activate the Mediation Center established within our
Chamber.”
Emphasizing that
Afyonkarahisar and İscehisar are the capital cities of marble, Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “Türkiye's largest Marble Specialized OIZ is here. Our Chamber has also
registered Afyon Marble as a geomarker. You have a brand that is known
worldwide. Even in St. Peter's Basilica, the most important church in the
Vatican, the marbles of İscehisar were used.”
Pointing out that
Türkiye has a great wealth and advantage in this field with 300 kinds of marble
and 200 kinds of travertine, the TOBB President continued: “We are the world
leader in block marble. Our exports exceeded 2 billion dollars, 60 percent of
which were in stratified processed form. Although Italy and China are ahead of
us in processed marble, we are also in development in this area. On the other
hand, we are facing a slowdown in China, our largest market, and a global
recession. In the domestic market, our construction sector has not yet fully
recovered.
In addition to these,
we are also under the influence of the increase in electricity and fuel prices
in the recent period. We have problems that increase costs such as licensing,
fees and government rights. In addition, when issuing a license in a province
or region, local governments and the sector here, in other words, you, should
have a say through our Chamber. Because you know the field best. Both supply
planning is done and negative impressions are not caused in the public opinion.
On the other hand,
there are things we need to do in terms of added value in our sector. We sell
block marble for 20 cents, layer marble for around 40 cents, while Italy sends
processed marble for $2. Despite all the troubles, product processing and
quality in the sector are increasing, the number of countries to which exports
are made is growing. We have a long way to go in this sector. We will continue
to work together both for the development of this region and for the meeting of
our country's foreign exchange needs.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that they conveyed all the troubles and problems to the relevant Ministries
together with Afyon CCI and that they followed up, “At this point, let's never
forget this. We are the voice of our members and become their interpreters.
This is the duty given to us by law. The executive authority and responsibility
belongs to our government. When they are one and together, Allah gives mercy
and blessings. Let's not marginalize each other. Let's not exclude anyone
because of their beliefs or their opinions.”