Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu highlights Muğla’s economic potential and KOBİ financing challenges

Turkey’s chambers union (TO BB) president Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu addressed a joint meeting of Muğla’s chambers, stressing the province’s strategic importance and diversified economy. He noted Muğla’s 1,500 km coastline, two international airports, and strong sectors ranging from tourism and agriculture to fisheries, olive‑oil production, mining and yacht manufacturing, which together generate significant export earnings and foreign‑exchange.

He warned that high inflation, rising interest rates and tight credit are constraining businesses, especially small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises (KOBİs). He said TO BB has conveyed these concerns to the Central Bank governor and public‑bank CEOs, resulting in the relaunch of the KGF‑guaranteed TO BB Nefes Credit programme. To date, 13,382 Muğla firms have accessed the credit line, and discussions continue to expand its capacity.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also highlighted recent policy measures: the accommodation tax was cut from 2 % to 1 %, and a 60 billion‑lira tourism support package, backed by the Treasury, provides additional financing, a minimum‑wage supplement of 1,270 lira per employee, and a 3,500 lira monthly premium for certified establishments. He concluded with a call for solidarity, saying “back‑to‑back we will overcome these tough days.”