The National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission, established in parliament as part of the process seeking a democratic solution to the Kurdish question, held its 9th meeting on Friday. Representatives from the business world attended the meeting and shared their views and suggestions regarding the process.
The meeting began with a speech by Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). The commission then heard presentations from representatives of the Turkish Agricultural Chambers Union (TZOB), the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), the Turkish Confederation of Employers’ Unions (TİSK), the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSİAD), and the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MÜSİAD).
‘The only thing trade wants is peace’
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), emphasized the importance of establishing the law of brotherhood, stating, “While discussing all these issues, we should not confuse this commission with rhetoric, partisanship, and using this agenda as fodder for daily politics. Ultimately, this is not party politics, but state policy. A historic opportunity has been seized to resolve one of Turkey’s most chronic problems. Today, the purpose of this commission is to think together and generate solutions together. Where there is no peace, there is no trade, and where there is no trade, there is certainly no wealth. So, if we want to be wealthy, we should pave the way for trade. And the only thing trade wants is peace. Democracy is also the guarantee that our citizens can freely express themselves, regardless of their identity, culture, beliefs, and lifestyle. No one should face discrimination because of their faiths, ideas, origins, or affiliations, and everyone must have equal opportunities in trade, education, politics, and social life. Without democracy, none of these rights would be guaranteed. A strong economic structure cannot be built either.”
‘The commission should provide a legal and judicial basis’
Bendevi Palandöken, President of the Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), emphasized that the process should not be prolonged. Warning against those who may want to sabotage the process, Palandöken highlighted the importance of the commission listening to different segments of society. Pointing to the importance of public embracement of the process, he said, “For this reason, the commission should keep the process short, compile what we have discussed, and present it to the public on a complete legal and judicial basis.”
‘We are ready to contribute to the process in every way possible’
Burak Akkol, President of the Turkish Confederation of Employers’ Associations (TİSK), stated that they stand by the process and are ready to contribute to it in every way possible. Pointing out that there is no problem that cannot be solved with an integrative approach, Akkol said there is serious potential for increasing per capita income in the region. He continued, “There are 1.2 million registered jobs in the region. This figure also implies unregistered employment, to which TISK is very strongly opposed. Unregistered employment primarily deprives workers of their rights. It deprives them of their right to insurance. It also brings occupational health and safety problems. As you can see, while the rate of unregistered employment in Turkey is around 25%, it is almost 46% in the region, meaning that one in every two workers is employed informally. Thanks to a peaceful environment, we see serious potential in terms of investment and employment not only in the region but also in other parts of our country, with the region being the priority.”
Akkol stated that, according to Turkey’s calculations, the cost of the war was a minimum of $140 billion and a maximum of $240 billion. He pointed out that even when a conservative estimate is made, the cost is very high, saying, “Let’s say it’s $100 billion every year. What could be done with 100 billion dollars? With 100 billion dollars each year, 2.5 million homes could be built.”
‘Investments cannot be made in regions labeled as ‘terror’ zones’
Orhan Aydın, President of the Anatolian Lions Businessmen Association (ASKON), remarked that an investment climate cannot be established in an environment where peace and security are not ensured. He said, “Production cannot be sustained in conditions where there is no political and economic stability. Unfortunately, we cannot talk about exports being permanent and sustainable in a place where there are no social unity and solidarity. We can clearly state that businesspeople always prefer safe havens, wherever they may be in the world. The key factors in convincing businesses or companies to invest in a location include proximity to raw materials, semi-finished products, and energy markets, as well as an abundant and skilled workforce. However, despite the appeal of all these factors and the detailed incentive packages our government has offered so far, the fact that investments cannot be made in regions labeled as ‘terror’ zones demonstrates how crucial the security of such investments is.”
‘Political will, social support, and consensus are of great importance’
Aydın pointed out that the smoke billowing from a factory chimney represents not only production but also peace, stating, “Every young person who enters through the doors of a business is now a productive young person. Psychosocial support, economic investments, legal regulations, and social consensus mechanisms have been critical in these processes. Undoubtedly, political will, social support, and consensus are of great importance for the success of such processes. We attach great importance to the work of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission, which embraces all representatives of society. We are fully confident that the results and reflections of this work will be unique to us and will serve as an example to the world.”
‘Kurdish question is also a social, cultural, and strategic issue’
The Deputy Chairman of the Turkish Chamber of Agriculture (TZOB), Ahmet Bahadır, pointed out that the security issues that have persisted for 40 years have had negative effects on the agriculture and livestock sectors, emphasizing that a lasting peace environment would create important opportunities. Noting that the Kurdish question is not only an economic problem but also a social, cultural, and strategic issue, Bahadır said, “Because agriculture and livestock farming are the most basic sources of livelihood for the people in this region. It is part of our cultural heritage and a fundamental pillar of Turkey’s economic security. According to TÜİK’s 2024 livestock production statistics, a significant portion of the country’s 54.9 million small livestock population is located in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions. Van province ranks first with approximately 3.4 million heads, Şanlıurfa ranks third with 2.6 million heads, and Diyarbakır ranks fourth with 2.3 million heads.”
‘1.2 million citizens were displaced between 1986 and 2005’
Bahadır stated that keeping pastures and meadows closed for security reasons has hindered production potential for years, adding, “Approximately 37.3% of Turkey’s total 14.6 million hectares of pasture and meadow land is located in the Eastern Anatolia region, while 6.9% is located in the Southeastern Anatolia region. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, these figures are recorded as 5.6 million hectares in our Eastern Anatolia region and 1 million hectares in our Southeastern Anatolia region. Eastern Anatolia is the second region with the highest grass yield in its pastures, with 900 kilograms, after the Black Sea region. These areas have been seriously affected by security problems caused by ‘terrorism’ since the mid-1980s. The highland bans imposed as part of the fight against terrorism have forced the region into traditional migration and severely weakened the livestock model. Internal migration has been problematic. According to Hacettepe University reports, approximately 1.2 million citizens were displaced between 1986 and 2005. These migrations have reduced the Muslim youth and skilled labor force, emptied villages, and weakened production capacity.”
‘Not just an economic leap but also the consolidation of social harmony’
Despite all the adversities, with the establishment of agricultural peace, the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions will become leaders in pasture management, said Bahadır and added: “Feed costs, which have increased by 15-20%, could decrease by 20-30%. Private sector investments could increase by 50%. Digital agricultural technologies could increase productivity by 30%. The contribution to the regional agricultural gross domestic product could grow by 5-8% annually. Agricultural employment could increase by 15-10%. This is not just an economic leap, but also means a reversal of migration, the strengthening of the rural population, and the consolidation of social harmony.”