Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

During the meeting Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke about Turkey’s economic success and its economic transformation process, touching on the troubles of Turkish businessmen in Sudan. The Sudan Head of State El Beşir stated that they are proud of the economic successes of Turkey and the contribution of Turkey to the economic transformation process in Sudan would be gratifying. El Beşir invited Turkish investors to invest in Sudan.

- Obstructions to trade between Islamic countries should be abolished

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech at the board meeting of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized that Obstructions to trade between Islamic countries should be abolished. Saying that entrepreneurship should be supported in Islamic countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out the importance of a high quality democracy for a strong economy. Emphasizing that prosperity by itself is not significant for Muslims, but that the fair distribution of wealth is also important, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We cannot be apathetic while our neighbor is unemployed, hungry and in poverty.”

Stating that the main underlying reason for changing systems is unemployment, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the private sector must invest and trade more to avoid apathy. Requesting that girls are also integrated into economic life as well as boys, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In this regard, look to the life of Our Prophet, who all Muslims should emulate. Observe the profession of His wife Hatice. She was a merchant. An entrepreneur.”

Stating that natural resources will only make governments rich, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the only thing that will make the people rich is investment and commerce.

- Emphasis on low commerce figures

Stating that the share of the world production of the 57 Organization of Islam Cooperation member states are less than those of Germany and Japan, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Our commerce figures are as disturbing as our production ratio. Our share in world production is no higher than 10.5%. Trade among us is only 17% of our total trade in 2010.”

Talking about Turkey’s experience of opening up to international markets with Turgut Özal, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We all had reservations at the beginning. We thought we couldn’t compete. But we saw that competition brings about quality. Quality brings about more production, employment, commerce and prosperity.”
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are ready as the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey to share information regarding their private sector development and entrepreneurship experiences and knowledge and provided information regarding their work with the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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