TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, along with the Presidents of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges had meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım on 4 August 2016. IKV Chairman and President of Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Ayhan Zeytinoğlu also took part in these meetings.

In that context, they attended the consultation meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Palace. At that occasion, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As TOBB and the Chamber and Commodity Exchange community, we will always stand by democracy, nation and government as we always have.”?

Speaking at the Chamber-Exchange Presidents Consultation Meeting at the Presidential Palace, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the imperturbable stance and prioritising the economy during these extraordinary times gives the business community morale and motivation. “We, the traders and industrialists of our country, are determined to keep going without pause towards a stronger economy”, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the nation and country have overcome a dire situation.

TOBB community stands by the fight for democracy

Stating that they were the first professional organisation to reject this coup attempt of FETÖ origin, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said the following:

“As soon as the putschist declaration was read out on TV, we made clear our stance in support of democracy and the will of the people, both online and on TV. We messaged all of our chamber and exchange members, vocational committee members throughout the 81 provinces and 160 counties to urge them to stand against this coup attempt, reaching out to 85,000 people via SMS. The following day we visited our veteran National Assembly. We paid a condolatory visit to the Speaker of the Assembly and political parties.

Attending the historic session in the National Assembly, we showed that the Turkish business community is on the side of democracy. We showed our reaction against the coup attempt on 19 July as 365 chambers and exchanges of 81 provinces and 160 counties simultaneously. We declared that, ‘Democracy is indispensable; National Will is our Power; Solidarity is Our Future.’ On 20 July we visited the TGNA along with 538 representatives of various NGOs. We read our Commitment to Democracy declaration. We’ve contacted all of our international partners to assure them that our democracy is robust as ever and that they should have no anxiety in regards to the situation in Turkey.

We’ve contacted the largest international investors in Turkey. We’ve informed them of the situation and the power of the Turkish economy. Throughout this process, our chambers and exchanges have been staunch defenders of democracy in all provinces and all counties from the very first moment that the junta surfaced”.

Support for the state of emergency

Stating that they are in support of the decision to declare a state of emergency in order to facilitate the preservation of the public peace and uninterrupted continuity of services as the Chamber-Exchange community, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasised the need to support the government as the people of this country. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB’s Chamber-Exchange community would contribute to the aid campaign started by the government to help martyrs and veterans.

“In summation, this community has embraced democracy and the ballot fully. From here onward, we are at the service of our government and nation,” said TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu went on and added the following: “We will work to make this country and its people richer. We must engage in even greater works now. We must invest more, provide more jobs and export more. With your support, we will overcome all of these traps and make our country one of the 10 largest economies of the world. TOBB and the Chamber-Exchange community, we will continue to stand by our democracy, nation and government, as we have always had. We believe that we will become a much safer country and achieve a stronger economy soon. Throughout this process, it is our duty to be faithful to the people and the government. We will stand against those who oppose the unity, solidarity and democracy of our country”.

Meeting with Prime Minister Yıldırım

Chamber and Exchange Presidents, led by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, visited Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and consulted with him on various matters. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As the merchants, industrialists and manufacturers of our country, we are dedicated to keep on conducting business without pause for a stronger economy.”?

Speaking at the consultation meeting held at the Prime Ministry, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım for his efforts in regards to strengthening the real sector as well as increasing its competitive power. Stating that the importance put on arbitration is encouraging for the business community, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Now, under your leadership, our government will be able to focus on the economy; will begin a new leap forward in growth and reforms. We will do our part in all of this.”

Expressing his pleasure in meeting with such select organisations which contribute so much to the development and growth of Turkey, Prime Minister Yıldırım pointed out the fact that there are representatives from 365 chambers and exchanges from 81 provinces and 160 counties present at the meeting.

Touching on the coup attempt of 15 July by Fethullahists, Prime Minister Yıldırım stated that businesspeople have stood by the nation, justice and the rule of law without a doubt.

Stating that a new era has begun, PM Yıldırım said, “15 July is a political turning point of Turkish politics. 15 July is, in a sense, the victory of the struggle for Independence.”