The new opportunities, innovations and obligations brought on by the 6102# numbered Turkish Trade Law were explained at the “New Turkish Trade Law Education Meeting aimed at Companies” in Konya, organized by TOBB, Ministry of Customs and Commerce and TÜRMOB. Attending the meeting were TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Customs and Commerce Ministry Undersecretary Ziya Altunyaldız, TÜRMOB President Nail Sanlı and many businessmen, accountants and financial consultants.

- “We competed in a 50’s car”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at the start of the meeting stated that Turkey has been racing in a 50’s car for years. Pointing out that Turkey is the world’s 17th largest economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have broken growth rate records. We achieved this even though we are 65th on the ease of business index. All we want from the state is to be able to compete on equal footing with our competitors. Then just see how far we take our country. The driver is skilled but the car is only a 50’s model.”

Touching on the fact that the new Turkish Trade Law is changing the face of how business is conducted and changing many habits, Hisarcıklıoğlu requested that accountants and financial consultants monitor the process closely.

Relating their reasons for wanting the new TTK, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “You are aware that following the crisis, the global economy is being rebuilt. While all the countries struggle with their own problems, those who are able to take advantage of the opportunities are getting ahead. The countries that adapt to the new environment are growing faster, getting richer. There is significant opportunity to be had. We, however, are still using a 50’s trade law. We will most likely get stranded if we try the fast lane with this law. Think of it like this; you have the best driver but you make him race on a Murat 124. Our entrepreneurs, businessmen, are braver and more skilled than anyone else. But they have to use the Murat 124. Despite this, we have a record-breaking private sector. We are the 65th in terms of ease of business index. What this means is that there are 64 countries where it is easier to do business in than Turkey. Despite this the private sector made Turkey the fastest growing country in Europe in 2010. We were the second fastest growing country in the world this year.”

- “We have reservations regarding approximately 50 articles”

Stating that they have been the staunchest supporter of the new TTK from the time of its conception, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have been the most active in trying to have this law be passed. I have wanted this for the last 10 years. I have talked about this everywhere I’ve been to and in every speech I’ve made in the last 10 years. We have set ourselves a goal. We will be among the top 10 economies by the year 2023. Give us leave to change the new law as soon as possible. Everyone who contributed to this law knows very well that the institution that supported it the most is TOBB. We visited our Prime Minister of then, CHP Leader Mr. Baykal and MHP leader Mr. Bahçeli along with TÜSİAD, MÜSİAD, TİSK in order to pass the law that was stuck in parliament. I’ll say it openly; the new TTK is a revolution that will go down in Turkey’s economic history. Do we have absolutely no reservations regarding this law? Of course we do. We have brought this up during the parliamentary process. We have stated that there are certain obscurities in the application and adaptation process. We have reservations regarding approximately 50 articles.”

Stating that craftsmen and industrialists are promised heaven if they operate properly, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “No other professions have been given this esteem equal to martyrdom. The most blessed of men is he who is beneficent to others. If you do not produce, buy or sell, how will prosperity be generated? How will the hungry be fed? You are undertaking a huge endeavor, Allah bless you. I am risking everything. Are there any comparable risks in any other profession? People who have not taken a single risk in their lives are making a law and telling me that not a single article in it can be changed. How is this acceptable?”

- “Tell us what you think”

Stating that they will gather the suggestion from these meeting and relay the reasonable ones to politicians, the TOBB President went on, “We won’t just tell these things to you. We have disseminated ‘The New Turkish Trade Law and My Company’ to all of Turkey via our Chambers and Exchanges. This report, containing the articles which are relevant to companies, is also available on our website. Read it! We have prepared a survey with Deloitte which will let you know how well prepared you and your company are regarding the new TTK, named ‘TTKMETRE’, under 6 main headings and 44 question. When you have taken this survey, you will be able to tell how prepared your company is for the new TTK. My request to you is to listen well today. Read the reports and take the TTKMETRE survey. Please make this heard. Inform you friends who were unable to attend this meeting to these sources of information on the TOBB site. If you have any objections or suggestions, notify us.

I’ll say it one more time: The new TTK is a revolution. Once we successfully instate it Turkey will have free rein. Turkey will reach its 2023 goals thanks to these reforms.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu also said, “My brother Nail (TÜRMOB President Nail Sanlı), says that we can observe the shortcomings of the law when it goes into effect. That’s fine but I want a single article changed if this is to be the case. If I am put in prison then so will my accountant be put in prison.