Erhürman: “We Will Stand on Our Own Feet”

Erhürman, accompanied by his wife Nilden Bektaş Erhürman, attended and delivered remarks at the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce’s (KTTO) 3rd Sectoral Tax Awards gala dinner.

In his address, the President extended his greetings to all participants and underlined the presence of an unfair competitive environment, in addition to ongoing restrictions and isolations.

“We continue to face a level of uncertainty within the bureaucracy that we do not desire. Added to this are obstacles that have reached a point beyond what businesspeople can cope with,” he said. In this context, Erhürman described the award recipients as “a kind of magician,” noting that producing, institutionalising, surviving and persevering under such circumstances deserves deep respect. He paid special tribute to women entrepreneurs, emphasising that many of them have succeeded despite facing additional hardships.

Erhürman stressed that if the business community has been able to reach its current level despite these difficulties, the country’s potential in a more enabling environment would be remarkable. “Just imagining what could be achieved if these obstacles were reduced and opportunities expanded truly makes me proud and gives me great hope,” he said. He added that starting a new era is both a collective responsibility and a debt owed to earlier generations who struggled for the community’s survival.

“We will start a new era, and we will do it together. We will stand on our own feet. This country has the resources, the strength and the potential,” Erhürman stated. “The reason I speak in terms of ‘we’ is not a coincidence. This cannot be done by politicians alone—it is either accomplished by all of us together, or by none of us. And failure is not an option.”

The President highlighted the vital role of institutions that have continued to develop themselves over decades, stressing the obligation to protect and sustain them. He acknowledged that the road ahead involves difficulties and costs, but insisted that there is no alternative path.

Underlining that the current situation is not sustainable, Erhürman reiterated the need to initiate change and usher in a new period.

“Lower tax rates mean higher tax revenues,” he said, arguing that tackling unfair competition, supporting institutions and addressing the cost of living collectively would all contribute to strengthening public finances.

Concluding his remarks, Erhürman said: “We will launch a new era together. We have survived and persisted through far tougher conditions. In this period too, we will work together and carry our presence forward. In doing so, we will fulfil our responsibility to leave a much better country to our children and future generations.”