Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at the dinner, stated that the profession of diplomacy is sacred work requiring devotion, “You have a very important mission. You are the outward facing visage of Turkey. The world outside knows us through you.”

Stating that diplomats’ share in Turkey being viewed as a center of attraction by the world at large is quite important, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated, “To grasp the importance of the opening up of the Turkish business world to the outside we must grasp the transformation process of the economy well. Turkey has made much progress in the last 30 years. There is significant effort, experience and vision behind this progress. Our 2023 goal is very important; we must grow steadily to become one of the top 10 economies in the world.”

Stating that Turkey needs to see the big picture in order to reach its goals stated Hisarcıklıoğlu and talked about the Far East and Latin America markets, explaining how these markets are the growth engines of the global economy.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that in China, 200 million people earn more than those in Europe, “And just as much in India. This means there are 400 million people with spending capacity. Mexico is the world’s 14th largest economy, I asked our ambassador how many Turks there were there, he told me that there were 400. We lack nothing economically; you can see what we produce.”

- Foreign Affairs Minister Davutoğlu

In his speech, Ahmet Davutoğlu thanked TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu for acting as host.

Stating that diplomacy has changed character, Davutoğlu said that the methods of diplomats must change accordingly to this change.

Relating how 20-30 years ago, ambassadors contacting businessmen would be found suspicious, Davutoğlu said, “In the old perception of power the paradigm revolved around military, strategic or political power. Even this last has completely destroyed this paradigm. The foreign affairs ministers of some countries who used to be held at the utmost esteem have become diplomats viewed with slight pity.”

- “Relations of dependence need to transition into relations of equality”

Relaying a suggestion that Turkish businessmen should follow regarding the formulation of economy diplomacy, Davutoğlu said that Turkey needs to be active in regions like the Middle East, Central Asia and the Balkans.

Stating that Turkey needs to increase its competitive power with rising economic powers like India, China and Brazil, Davutoğlu stated that it also needs to develop a new modality of economic relations with these countries.

Davutoğlu said, “Our expectation of our businessmen is to establish our business world in terms of psychological, presentation and economic power. We, as the foreign affairs community will do our part in achieving this.”

After the speeches, Hisarcıklıoğlu presented Minister Davutoğlu with a plaque holding an authentic Ottoman door knocker. Also attending the dinner was Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Vuc Jeremic.
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