Global change affects us deeply as it affects the whole world

Dear friends
Dear members of the press, 
I greet you all respectfully on behalf of TİKAD, the Association of All Businesswomen.

TİKAD, which we set out with the belief that it will make significant contributions to the future of Turkey, has gained its identity as of 1 March 2004. I am sure that you are all asking 'What is TİKAD' and 'Why is there a need for such an organisation'? TİKAD is an association established with the aim of bringing together businesswomen and working women in line with professional leadership, to increase their influence in the public opinion, to contribute to the social and economic development of Turkey, and to bring a breath of fresh air to the business world with the desire to take an active role in Turkey's integration with the modern world.

Dear friends
Global change affects us deeply as it affects the whole world. This change is dynamic and continuous. As women from Turkey, we must analyse the dynamics of change correctly and develop new strategies in order not to be left out of the process and disconnected from the world. Because this change affects developing countries like ours more deeply. For this reason, Turkey must be ready at any time to meet the rising demands for change, particularly in the economic, political and social fields, and to fulfil its requirements. 

As TIKAD, we declare that we will follow the determination and implementation of the policies regarding the change process and its aftermath on this first day of our public appearance. The State Institute of Statistics announced that the growth rate in the last quarter of 2003 was 7.2 per cent. The annual growth rate exceeded the forecasts and was realised as 5.9. National income increased at a record level and inflation dropped to single digit figures after years.
Interest rates have fallen by almost 50 per cent in the past year and a half. On a purely numerical basis, these are positive developments. However, these developments, which are seen very favourably in the world of figures, are not reflected on the society in real terms. It follows from this that no one, especially the government, should be satisfied with only numerical success. In order for the economic recovery to be reflected to the society as soon as possible, policies to prevent income inequality and unemployment should be implemented urgently. 
In this regard, the government and us, the employers, have great duties. In order to increase new investments, the government should implement incentive policies and employers should increase new investments to increase employment and prevent unemployment.

Dear friends,
We consider the actions of the government for one and a half years as successful. We believe that the work and initiatives of the government should be supported, especially in the European Union and in the Cyprus issue. The economic recovery and the gradual emergence of a climate of confidence in domestic markets and among foreign investors are promising developments for the future. However, it should not be forgotten that the continuation of this positive atmosphere will only be possible if the government continues to pursue decisive and sustained policies. "Stability" is the magic word for the process Turkey is going through. At this point, we would like to state that we, as TİKAD, will endeavour to fulfil our duties with the utmost diligence.
The initiative of the Prime Minister, which he has been carrying out for some time, consisting of visits abroad for the foreign capital to come to our country, has been fruitful for Turkish Businessmen. No one should have any doubt that in the future, Turkish Businessmen as well as Turkish Businesswomen, under the umbrella of TİKAD, will successfully fulfil the tasks to be assigned to them. We would like to announce that we are working on important projects to improve the image of Turkey in foreign economic and financial circles and to raise its rating. In addition, the co-operation we have established with foreign businesswomen, if supported by government policies, will be the harbinger of new investments and initiatives for our country.
The results of the local elections have brought the blessings of the single party government closer to our people. The government has been given a great chance to ensure that the economic recovery is reflected to our people. It is inevitable for the benefit of the country that the government utilises this chance correctly and in good faith. 
And this is both our hope and expectation.