Organized by TOBB, the Turkish Economy Council was hosted by M. Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Deputy Prime Ministers Numan Kurtulmus, Mehmet Şimşek and Nurettin Canikli, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Faruk Özlü, Minister of Labor and Social Security Mehmet Müezzinoglu, Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak, It was held at TOBB Twin Towers with the participation of Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Faruk Çelik, Minister of Customs and Trade Bülent Tüfenkci, Minister of Development Lütfi Elvan and Minister of Finance Naci Agbal.
In his speech here, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that, after terrorist organizations such as PKK and DAES, FETO's "treacherous" coup attempt caused many troubles to the country, and added, "Under the leadership of our President and the prudent stance of our nation, we showed that we have the strength and determination to overcome all of these." he said.
Pointing out that they are now looking at 2017, Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that despite all the turmoil, the private sector invested 155 billion lira in machinery and equipment in the last year, exported goods worth 141 billion dollars, and foreign exchange income of 38 billion dollars was obtained in the tourism, maritime and contracting sectors.
"Tax cuts were the right step"
Underlining that there are also problems despite the positive developments, Hisarcıklıoğlu continued as follows:
"80 percent of the Turkish economy comes from domestic consumption. The world economy and global trade have slowed down for a long time. In such an environment, it has become more important to keep our domestic market alive. Let's not forget that the economy is like a compound vessel. Production is essential for employment, and domestic consumption is essential for production. Today is the time to preserve what we have in order to make bigger breakthroughs in the future. Now is the time to keep the domestic market alive. Our government's tax cuts in the white goods, furniture and housing sectors are in this respect." "It was the right step."
Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined that the rapid increase in exchange rates caused troubles in companies and the market, and said, "While loan interest rates were expected to decrease to reasonable levels, the Central Bank's reduction in liquidity and increase in interest rates increased the burden on us." made his assessment.
Stating that they, as the private sector, want to see the state on their side at a time when there are difficulties at home and abroad, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's participation in the meeting is important in terms of keeping the wheels of the bureaucracy running and showing the importance of the struggle carried out by the private sector.
Stating that the focus should be on the economy and the reform fire should be revived, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "We need structural reforms and new steps that will put us forward in global competition. Because, first with Brexit and then with the new US President, the trade, investment and fund flow in the world is slowing down. While the outside is deteriorating, we must close the ranks at home. Let the reform fire shine so that the rating companies that make judgments from their desks will also Let them be ashamed and ashamed." he said.
"At least one positive employment"
Reminding that the Government has recently taken new steps to support employment, trade and industry, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that, in this context, a tax reduction for those who pay their taxes regularly is also on the agenda.
Underlining that he believes that all these supports that increase the morale and motivation of the business world will give momentum to the economy and investments, Hisarcıklıoğlu gave information about the recent work they have done as TOBB in this sense.
Stating that the private sector should also compete for employment in 2017, just as Türkiye embarked on a national struggle after the coup attempt on July 15, Hisarcıklıoğlu called on private sector representatives to "provide at least one additional employment for Türkiye's future."
- Emphasis on trust and stability
Explaining that trust and stability are the basis of all the gains Türkiye has achieved in recent years, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that we can see what kind of crises occur when there is no trust and stability.
Stating that they, as the business world, know the value of trust and stability, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "On July 15, we showed that we will not accept an administration that does not derive its power from the ballot box and its authority from the nation. We defended stability and democracy. We must maintain this trust and stability in the coming new period. We must go to the ballot box for confidence and stability. Our duty is to make Türkiye an enthusiastic country that looks to the future again." he said.
Hisarcıklıoğlu also pointed out that the groups that attack using terrorist organizations want to put the Turkish economy in a difficult situation and concluded his words as follows:
"I am saying this very clearly. No matter what you do, no matter how you attack, you will never succeed. As long as we stand together, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, you will not be able to defeat us. Every time you attack, we, as the Turkish business world, will work and produce more for the future of our country. We will be at the disposal of our nation, alongside our state."
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
In his speech, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "What we have experienced and the emerging truths show us that we will have difficulty in continuing our way safely and at full capacity without completely crushing the heads of terrorist organizations such as FETO, DEAS and PKK." he said
Erdoğan started his speech at the Turkish Economic Council at TOBB Twin Towers by expressing his wishes for the meeting to be auspicious.
Stating that they take every step regarding the economy in consultation, Erdoğan stated that they came together again today for such a consultation. Stating that consultation has a very different place in the value systems and that they continue their way with consultation, Erdoğan said that the opinions of businessmen about the country, cities and sectors are always valuable.
Erdoğan emphasized that the consultations made a great contribution to Türkiye's 3-fold growth in the last 14 years, and underlined that the cooperation to be made today and in the future will accelerate the march towards the 2023 goals.
Stating that the business world and the organizations represented under the umbrella of TOBB deserve appreciation for their solid stance during the coup attempt of FETO, President Erdoğan said:
"I expect you, especially on behalf of my nation, to show more sensitivity in clearing the FETO treason gang from the business world as well as from every part of our country. What we have experienced and the emerging truths show us that Türkiye will have difficulty in continuing its path safely and at full capacity without completely crushing the heads of terrorist organizations such as FETO, DEAS and PKK. In this regard, it is essential that you support the struggle carried out not only for yourself but also for your country, your nation, and especially for future generations. "I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for what you have done so far for a prosperous, peaceful and strong future. I believe that all of our 80 million citizens now see this truth. Turkey is going through one of the most critical struggles in its history due to the developments within and outside its borders."
Stating that they call this the "new struggle for independence", Erdoğan said, "Because we can only compare what we are experiencing today with Çanakkale and our War of Independence. We are under intense attack in every field, from our borders to our economy, from our peace to our prosperity." he said.
- "Economic terrorism"
Pointing out that they are trying to build a terror corridor in Syria and Iraq to effectively cut off Türkiye's relations with the Middle East and North Africa, President Erdoğan said:
"For this purpose, all terrorist organizations are used and secretly or openly supported. The same terrorist organizations are directed to take action in our country with the power they receive from certain centers. The strategy put forward by the separatist terrorist organization in the October 6-7 events and pit actions is not its own mind, nor is it the product of its own means. Again, the actions that DEAS has done or is trying to do in our country have nothing to explain with reason or logic. This is the biggest betrayal that Türkiye has seen in recent history. "After the July 15 coup attempt, 'all of our colleagues are in prison', the intentions of those who make such reproaches are very clear. All of these attacks, which target our country's independence and future rather than its security, have been carried out together with the economic pillar."
Stating that he called this "economic terrorism" and "actors of economic terrorism", Erdoğan said that these should be known well.
Pointing out that whenever Turkey encounters security problems, calls to stop the economy, foreign exchange and interest manipulations, and tactics to scare producers occur, President Erdoğan said, "It occurs not only inside but also outside. What do we think lies behind the steps taken by credit rating agencies regarding Turkey? There is definitely an economic terrorism that lies there, and I wonder how we can destroy Türkiye by inflicting this terrorism." We are frightened, they are trying to do this." made his assessment.
- "Some people just because they don't like the captain..."
Emphasizing that these groups could not get the results they wanted, Erdoğan said:
"I'm telling you that they won't get it. The will of the credit rating agencies in the world is not and will not be above the will of this community. As long as we stand tall, let's stand firm. The water assessment agency, this rating agency, cannot determine the fate of the entrepreneur of this nation. You will determine this fate. There is a fate above this fate, we believe in that too. Unfortunately, we see that some circles are joining this chorus just for their own political interests. "Some people, unaware that we are all on the same ship, support those who try to drill the bottom of the ship and knock down its mast just because they do not like the captain."
Stating that the nation has seen all the tricks, Erdoğan said, "That's why I call it 'Rabia'. What's in this Rabia? There is one nation, one flag, one homeland, one state. We have integrated around this and we walk like this." he said.
-Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım
Addressing TOBB members, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said, "If each member employs one person, it means 1.5 million new jobs. Our President also stated here today, at least one. When we increase this number to two, we are talking about 3 million. When you take one step to grow the economy and create new jobs for our people, we will take two steps. We will not carry this burden only to you." he said.
Stating that the sura ceremony was very important for the economy, especially in the first days of 2017, Yıldırım stated that the pulse of the economy was beating in Ankara with the arrival of chamber and stock exchange representatives from every corner of the country.
Yıldırım said that the Turkish economy has written an epic with its growth in the last 15 years, and that with the fluctuation in the exchange rate in the last months of 2016 along with the uncertainty in the world, some circles and foreign economic lobbies took action to play some games on the Turkish economy.
Emphasizing that evaluation institutions make every effort to disrupt the stability and confidence in Türkiye and delay the development of the country, rather than evaluating the economy, Yıldırım continued:
"We trust our economy, our nation, our businessmen, and we will foil this recently staged game, just as we have failed these games so far. 2017 will not be a year in which some constantly pump up pessimism, on the contrary, it will be a year in which the Turkish economy will rise again, Mr. President. Today, you are in this hall to take a responsibility. There is something our President has been saying for years. TOBB, It is the largest umbrella organization of our business community. Therefore, if each member employs one person, it means 1.5 million new jobs. Our President also stated here today that when we increase this number, we are talking about 3 million. When you take one step to create new jobs for our people to grow the economy, we will take two steps. "We will not carry it."
Prime Minister Yıldırım stated that the government provided 12 billion lira resources in 1 year for the planned 1.5 million employees.
Pointing out that they will cover the on-the-job training of the employees and pay the salaries of 500 thousand employees during the training, Yıldırım stated that the insurance premiums and taxes of all employees up to 1.5 million will be covered by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance.
Yıldırım stated that the work is not limited to these, that they created employment areas for the vocational training program, and that with all these, new job opportunities will be opened for at least 2 million citizens, and said:
"(Addressing President Erdoğan) The call you have been making to TOBB for a long time has been answered today. We are starting this auspicious program here under your leadership. It has been a good job for our country and for those who will benefit from this employment. I would like to thank everyone who contributed."
