AK Party Ankara MPs conveyed a message of production-based growth.
AK Party Ankara Member of Parliament and former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Cemil Çiçek, along with AK Party Ankara Members of Parliament; Emrullah İşler (Chairman of the Grand National Assembly Security and Intelligence Committee), Nevzat Ceylan, Murat Alparslan, and Aydın Ünal; AK Party Aydın Member of Parliament Abdurrahman Öz; and former MPs Mehmet Ali Bulut and Abdullah Çalışkan, met with the OSTİM Board of Directors to exchange views. During the visit, which took place at the OSTİM Organized Industrial Zone Management Building, the MPs were wished success in their new term, informed about developments in the region and the industrial sector, and provided with information regarding production.
“Public policy is focused on importing from abroad”
Orhan Aydın, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OSTİM, who gave the opening speech of the meeting, stated that OSTİM strives for the industrialization and development of our country. Aydın said, “We are truly working hard to ensure that the work we do in our region serves as a model and prototype for OSTİM, for Ankara, and for Turkey.”
President Aydın, conveying the expectations of industrialists from politics, stated, “Unfortunately, our state structure and public policy are focused on importing products from abroad. All our specifications, contracts, and tender systems are based on buying and using ready-made products made by others. We believe that this needs to be changed somewhat in the current situation in Turkey. We are making great efforts in this regard.”
Aydın, noting that there have been very significant changes in government policies in this regard, said: “Almost all headings are focused on giving priority to domestic production, domestic industry, and national production. However, we see that this is not sufficiently reflected in practice. We are relentlessly following up on this.”
“Many Issues Have Taken Precedence Over Production”
Emphasizing that production is not valued enough in Turkey, Orhan Aydın underlined the following points: “We expect people who produce to be rewarded, to have the red carpet rolled out for them. We believe that everything will be solved through production. But unfortunately, in Turkey, many issues are prioritized over production. Turkey cannot find solutions from these. The solution will come from production, exports, and innovation. When industrialists build facilities, people give everything they have. We absolutely need to give privileges and priority to those who produce. Currently, what I'm saying is in action plans, but when it comes to implementation, we can't put it into practice. We are ready to compete with the world by completing all the shortcomings of this country through production.”
Orhan Aydın concluded his speech by offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in our country and to the families of the security forces who were martyred in the fight against terrorism, and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
“OSTİM is a driving force”
AK Party Ankara Member of Parliament and former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Cemil Çiçek, exemplified the production power our country has reached with the words, “Turkey, which couldn’t build a fishing boat, can now build submarines and unmanned aerial vehicles.” Stating that OSTİM is a driving force, the veteran politician thanked everyone who contributed to the region and offered condolences to those who have passed away.
Pointing to the importance of industrialization in Turkey, Çiçek stated that the country needs to adopt a slightly different growth composition in the context of global competition, and that this is related to production and exports. Cemil Çiçek said, "We will produce high-quality products and export them. Growth based on this can take Turkey to a better place."
“You are doing vital work for Turkey”
Recalling that during his time in government, they used language that protected domestic production when preparing specifications, Cemil Çiçek promised to help industrialists with their difficulties and continued: “Many things can be done here thanks to your efforts. We are all aware of how vital the work you do is for Turkey. We are proud of what you do. You provide jobs and livelihoods for many people. May God bless you all.”
“Terrorism is the plague of the century”
The experienced statesman, who described terrorism as the “plague of the century,” noted that Turkey is the country most affected by this disease. Pointing out that terrorism has many goals, one of which is to create fear, anxiety, and panic in Turkey, Çiçek said, “If we give credence to this, if we surrender, we would be supporting terrorism, even though we are against it. There are risks in the geography we live in; one of them is around Turkey. We didn’t want these, they are outside of our control. Turkey needs to be strong. We will continue to work.”
Cemil Çiçek concluded his speech with the following message to the industrialists: “Life goes on, there is fierce competition in the world. Clearly, others in the world are doing the same work that is being done in OSTİM. They may face difficulties and challenges. The state and the government are trying to provide some incentives and solve problems. If we can come together more often, we can contribute to solving these problems. They are in the midst of life; as the old saying goes, 'those who have a hand in it,' now these are the people who have a body in it. They are the ones who experience the hardships of life. Whatever is our responsibility, we will help them.”
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