Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the session were TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Minister of Treasury Mehmet Şimşek, UAE Commerce Chambers Federation Vice President Saeed Ali Khamas, Qatar Commerce and Industry Chamber Honorary Treasurer and Board Member Ali Abdullatif Al Misnad, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board Member Tarek Bader Al Muttwa and Oman Commerce Chamber Honorary Treasurer and Board Member Rida Juma Al Saleh.

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech that production centers in the world and sources of prosperity were changing and that production in the world was moving east of Turkey while consumption is to its west.

Stating that Turkey and Gulf region offer significant opportunities, TOBB President said, “We have the energy resources, the land and water. We have young and dynamic populations. We lack cooperation. We will either prosper together or we will lose together.”

- “There are no countries that prospered on natural resources”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that 30% of the trade the USA conducts in the world is with its neighbors Canada and Mexico, said that Turkey-GCC trade is only 3% of its total and only amounts to 10% when all of the Middle East is taken into account.

Turkey and Gulf countries are held back by visas and customs taxes, said Hisarcıklıoğlu and that no country prospered on natural resources, the people’s prosperity depends on production, investment and commerce that is why young and women entrepreneurs should be supported to enterprise.

- The importance of agriculture, livestock and energy

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that agriculture, livestock and energy would be the shaping force behind world’s policies in the near future and that of the 10 goods which increased the most in price in 2011, 4 of them have been agriculture-livestock goods and 3 of them energy based.

Reporting that the world’s population has increased by three times since 1950, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It increases by 70 million each year. That means we add another Turkey each year. The middle class has increased from 500 million to 2 billion in just Asia last 10 years. 1.5 million people have quit producing food. In terms of agricultural haul, Turkey is the 7th in the world. In this field, we stand ready for all investments and partnership. There are great gains to be made.”

Drawing attention to the financial aspect of the investment of a 100 billion Dollars, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the volume of investment out of the Gulf from the Gulf is 2.5 billion Dollars while Turkey receives only 30 billion Dollars’ worth of investments, a meager 0.1% of the total.

- Turkey is an island of stability

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that in the global crisis, the institutions the Gulf invested in have received government support while banks in Turkey did not and said, “Instead of wasting your money in such places prefer Turkey which is an island of stability which provides profit without the need for government support. European made losses in their own countries. They are trying to cover that with their profits here. Let’s work together.”

Stating that there is a tourism enterprise in the Gulf, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Turkey is open to joint ventures in the regard with the Gulf, that tourism destinations should be made into a joint one.

- “You’ve got the money, we have the courage”

TOBB President, noting the possibility of cooperating in the construction sector said, “Turkey’s construction sector successfully completes projects in locations ranging from -40 degrees Celsius to +40 degrees Celsius. We have completed 205 billion Dollars’ worth of 6,500 projects in 94 countries.  We have completed 31 billion Dollars’ worth of 384 projects in the Gulf countries. You have money, we have courage. Let’s combine them and share the profits.”

Stating that Turkey is ready to share its experiences in industry, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Turkey and the Gulf countries need to develop the transportation networks which will connect them to each other and to the whole world.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I’m not just saying ‘Invest in Turkey’. The Gulf countries and Turkey should invest in cross-border countries together. This is how cooperation is made. Let us continue to support each other in all fields. We are especially open to all substantial projects and suggestions. We are ready to share our experiences. I am hopeful for the future of our countries.”
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