Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Member of Turkey-EU Joint Advisory Committee Turkey wing issued a joint press statement regarding USA’s decision on Kudus. Reading out the joint press statement TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that such attitude which offends against obligatory resolutions by United Nations for status of Kudus and is also a clear violation of international law and diplomacy and added “Those who wants to take this step should be very well aware of that this decision does not provide any benefit for anybody. Kudus is not abandoned”.​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu has responded to the USA’s decision taken for Kudus. Within his statement, Hisarcıklıoğlu gave coverage to following remarks: ​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) General Assembly which took place in Belgrade. ​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu speaking at TOBB Commodity Exchanges Council Meeting said that the reason for currently experienced agricultural difficulties were not seasonal or temporary but structural. Hisarcıklıoğlu said “The entire system needs to be re-considered with an integrated approach. We must bring a new perspective in to agricultural sector, agricultural supports and trade”.​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, making a statement in connection with Disability Awareness Week has pointed out that development and civilisation level of a country can be understood by its care and importance provide for its disabled citizens.​

Following strained relations between Turkey and the the US, TOBB has sent a delegation to the USA. Led by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, the TOBB delegation met with important figures from the world of economics and politics. TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We will continue our collaborative work with the US Chamber of Commerce, which we are currently in talks with, to address the issues and opportunities for bilateral trade and investment, particularly with regard to the free trade agreement.”​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at Ankara's Chamber of Commerce's “Best of Ankara Award Ceremony” organized at the ATO Congresium, thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his result-oriented support on behalf of the business community, enabling 3 important steps in the to be taken in employment, financing and domestic automobile production.​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkci visited the Edirne Commodity Exchange and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a part of their itinerary. Edirne Commodity Exchange Chair Özay Öztürk and Edirne Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Recep Zıpkınkurt hosted the respective visits where exchange of views took place.​

The Hamzabeyli Customs Gate will be renovated and expanded by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). An investment of approximately 150 million TRY will be made for the project. The customs gate is expected to be in service at the beginning of 2019. The renovation investment aims to alleviate the burden of Kapıkule Customs Gate and to accelerate the vehicle entrance and exit. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project, the Hamzabeyli Border Gate will be 147,000 meters square in total. “The gate will start operations at the beginning of 2019 with increased capacity.”​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkci attended the opening ceremony of the Kapıkule Customs Gate Passenger Lounge. At the opening ceremony, chambers and commodity exchanges of nearby provinces and cities, a large number of business people, bureaucrats and officials were in attendance.​