Hisarcıklıoğlu met with Muğla business world: "Success comes when we act together"

Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, attended the Muğla Province Chambers and Exchange Joint Assembly Meeting hosted by the Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The meeting held at the Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference Hall was attended by MUTSO Chairman Bülent Karakuş, Assembly Chairman Koray Özcan, Muğla Commodity Exchange Chairman Hurşit Öztürk, IMEAK Chamber of Maritime Commerce Bodrum Branch Chairman Orhan Dinç, along with the presidents, board of directors, and assembly members of the chambers and exchanges in Marmaris, Bodrum, Fethiye, and Milas.

The meeting evaluated the economic and sectoral problems faced by Muğla's business world, cooperation among chambers and exchanges, the city’s production and export capacity, and future period targets.

Hisarcıklıoğlu: "God has given everything to Muğla"

In the meeting, TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu highlighted the natural, cultural, and economic riches Muğla possesses.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Muğla is one of Turkey's important gateways to the world with its sea, nature, culture, agriculture, tourism, and production capacity, saying, "God has given everything to Muğla. There is nature, sea, culture, agriculture. Muğla is one of Turkey's faces to the world."

Emphasizing that Muğla contributes significantly to the national economy not only through tourism but also through agriculture, aquatic products, and exports, Hisarcıklıoğlu said the city ranks among Turkey’s leading provinces in aquatic products, olives, olive oil, honey, citrus, and various agricultural products.

Commenting on the city’s production power, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated, "Muğla not only hosts guests but also produces, exports, and earns foreign currency for our country. It is one of Turkey's leading cities in aquatic products, olives, olive oil, honey, and citrus."

"Joint meetings create a unified voice"

Addressing the importance of chambers and exchanges gathering around the same table, Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that joint assembly meetings ensure that cities' common problems are voiced with a single voice.

He said, "When we go to a province and everyone says different things, it becomes difficult to get results. But when the chambers and exchanges in the province come together and talk about common problems, a strong voice emerges and results can be obtained. There is blessing in unity and torment in separation."

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the long-standing organization of these meetings by the chambers and exchanges in Muğla has created an important culture of cooperation and thanked the chamber and exchange presidents who contributed to the meeting's organization.

Accreditation praise for chambers and exchanges in Muğla

Addressing the accreditation system TOBB implements to improve service quality in chambers and exchanges, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that all chambers and exchanges in Muğla are accredited and provide services to their members according to international standards.

He said, "Today all chambers and exchanges in Muğla are accredited and offer five-star service. Members of chambers in Paris, Berlin, or London receive services at certain standards; our members in Muğla receive services of at least the same standard. This is a joint achievement of our presidents, assembly members, general secretaries, and employees."

Noting that service quality of chambers and exchanges is regularly audited by independent organizations, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "Of course, we might have shortcomings and errors. But when we embrace each other fraternally and stand back to back, success comes. The results are clearly visible both in business life and in the chamber and exchange community."

Karakuş: "Access to finance is the primary problem of the business world"

MUTSO Chairman Bülent Karakuş expressed his pleasure in hosting Hisarcıklıoğlu in Muğla, stating that the joint assembly meeting serves as an important consultation platform where common problems and future goals of Muğla’s business world are addressed.

Karakuş noted that chambers and exchanges in Muğla have been holding joint meetings for about 20 years, strengthening cooperation and a culture of joint work among institutions.

Emphasizing that Muğla holds an important position in the national economy with its tourism, agriculture, trade, industry, mining, and service sectors, Karakuş said access to finance is one of the most significant problems of the business world.

Karakuş stated, "High loan costs, heavy collateral conditions, and difficulties in accessing financial resources seriously restrict the operating space of especially small and medium-sized enterprises. Increasing affordable, long-term, and accessible financing opportunities is very important for our companies to reach working capital, continue their investments, and maintain employment."

He added that they requested the establishment of a structure similar to the artisan credit system for the business world and noted that uncertainty caused by high inflation also complicates companies' budgeting and investment planning.

"Cost and competition pressure have increased in tourism"

Karakuş drew attention to the serious cost and competition pressures on tourism, one of Muğla’s locomotive sectors, highlighting that increases in energy, personnel, rent, food, and financing costs put pressure on businesses.

He said, "Our country, which once stood out with price advantages, has become more expensive compared to many competing destinations due to increasing costs. This situation affects not only foreign tourists but also domestic tourists’ holiday preferences. As a province whose economy largely depends on tourism like Muğla, these developments should be carefully evaluated."

Karakuş added that the inflation fight process needs to be conducted alongside policies that protect production, investment, and employment, emphasizing that economic predictability is one of the fundamental needs for the business world.

Emphasis on green and digital transformation

Karakuş stated that MUTSO aims to go beyond just issuing documents to its members and guide businesses in preparing for changing global conditions, describing green and digital transformation as the most important agenda items in the upcoming period.

He noted that energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprint, sustainable production, efficient use of resources, and strengthening digital infrastructure have become a necessity rather than a preference for businesses, adding that within MUTSO's 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, efforts to increase firms' transformation and competitive capacities are being carried out.

Muğla has 40 registered geographical indication products

Karakuş shared that significant efforts are being made to preserve, develop, and brand Muğla’s economic values, stating that following efforts initiated by TOBB in 2016, MUTSO has 11, and Muğla a total of 40 geographical indication registered products.

He said, "We do not see geographical indications only as a registration document. We aim for these efforts to increase our producers' income, strengthen the recognition of our products, and add value to the Muğla brand."

Karakuş stated that during this process, chambers and exchanges have acted in cooperation with public institutions, universities, and local administrations, emphasizing that Muğla’s values can only be carried to the future through joint work.

36 students received training at Karia Teras

After the meeting, Karakuş said that the officially opened Karia Teras Gastronomy Center is an important center for promoting, branding, and transferring Muğla’s local products and traditional flavors to future generations.

He added that the center is not only an area showcasing Muğla’s cuisine but also provides practical training to sector employees, supports producers, and develops projects related to gastronomy tourism.

Karakuş said, "Although it has been only eight months since Karia Teras began service, 36 students received practical training here, developing their professional knowledge and skills and were employed in tourism and food and beverage sectors. In this regard, Karia Teras is an exemplary model that carries our local values to the future and trains qualified human resources needed by the sector."

Thanking Hisarcıklıoğlu and TOBB Board for their support in realizing the center, Karakuş said Karia Teras is a concrete example of inter-institutional cooperation transforming into lasting works.

Özcan: "We must advance Muğla’s potential with collective wisdom"

MUTSO Assembly Chairman Koray Özcan expressed great honor and happiness to host TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu in Muğla.

Özcan said that Hisarcıklıoğlu always supports solving business world problems and strengthening the chamber-exchange community, adding, "As Muğla’s business world, we find our President’s experience, guidance, and strong representation extremely valuable."

He emphasized that Muğla is one of Turkey's important economic centers with tourism, agriculture, industry, mining, trade, and service sectors, and expressed that solidarity among chambers and exchanges must be strengthened to further advance this potential.

Özcan said, "The Joint Assembly Meeting is of great importance for evaluating common problems, solution suggestions, and future expectations of Muğla's business world across different sectors on a common ground. With the strength we receive from our members, we will continue our efforts contributing to the development of our city and country in unity and solidarity."

Karia Teras Gastronomy Center opened

Following the Joint Assembly Meeting, TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the accompanying delegation officially opened the Karia Teras Gastronomy Center, which began serving in the Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry building.

Reporter: Mukaddes Yelin