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Tradesmen vow support for change in referendum
Speaking at a fast-breaking (iftar) dinner organized by TESKOMB and the Turkish Tradesmen’s and Artisans’ Confederation (TESK) on Thursday, Hünü emphasized that he represents 1.2 million tradesmen and craftsmen in Turkey and that it was in this capacity he was voicing support for the EU-backed reforms. “We will collect ‘yes’ votes by visiting each of our 1.2 million members. We give you our word of honor,” he said.
With TESKOMB’s announcement of its support for the amendments, the business world’s sympathy with the reform package became even clearer.
Taking into account the potential benefits for their own corporate prospects and the national economy at large, business circles in Turkey have shown huge support for the proposed amendments. So far, the growing chain of support has been joined by dozens of businessmen associations and trade chambers around the country. |
Taking into account the potential benefits for themselves and the country at large, business circles in Turkey have shown huge support for the proposed amendments. So far, the growing chain of support has been joined by the İstanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO), the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON), the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (MÜSİAD), the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), the Free Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (HÜRSİAD), the Anatolian Lions Businessmen’s Association (ASKON), the All Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (TÜMSİAD), the Business Life Cooperation Association (İŞHAD) and the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Association (KOBİDER), as well as scores of local business groups.
Loan interest rate lowered to 10 pct
TESKOMB’s iftar dinner was also attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Industry and Trade Minister Nihat Ergün and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Salih Kapusuz. Speaking at the event, Erdoğan announced that his government has lowered the annual interest rate for loans to tradesmen and craftsmen from the public bank Halk Bankası from 13 percent to 10 percent. Given that the government subsidizes half of the interest they are required to pay, the actual rate tradesmen and craftsmen will be paying back is as low as 5 percent, the lowest since 1951. The reduction in the Halk Bankası interest rate for tradesmen and craftsmen will take effect on Sept. 1.
Also present at the event, TESK President Bendevi Palandöken said these loans with lower interest rates will encourage their members and ensure that they can adapt to changes in market circumstances and recover from economic problems.
In his speech Erdoğan went on to criticize the economic policies of previous government, which, he said, impoverished the Turkish people. He particularly lashed out at past monetary policies that resulted in turbulent devaluations of the lira. “In one night, we saw an additional zero added to our money. Isn’t that stealing money from our pockets?” he said.
Government incentives for tradesmen and craftsmen are coming into force following its Tradesmen and Craftsmen Change, Transformation, and Support Strategy Document, which includes 30 measures classified under seven categories aimed at boosting competitive power and economic potential. Erdoğan said this document is the first and the most extensive work dealing with the problems of tradesmen and craftsmen. “We aim at growth and sustainable development with this particular work,” he noted. “We will never think small from now on. We will always think big and as we keep doing that both you and the country at large will win,” he added.
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