Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the Turks who immigrated to Europe have since written many success stories.

Visiting the Rotterdam Harbor, the largest harbor in Europe and the third largest in the world, as part of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül state visit to the Netherlands, the business committee lead by Hisarcıklıoğlu were accompanied by the Turkish-Dutch Business Council Counterpart President Bert Nooijer and Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce President Corr Becker.

Speaking at the meeting held at the Rotterdam Harbor hosted by the Dutch-Turk Businessmen Association (HOTİAD) with the attendance of the Feijenoord Municipality Director Seyit Yeyden, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the development achieved by the Turkish entrepreneurs in recent years.

TOBB and DEİK President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that thanks to this entrepreneurial power, the Turkish economy has become more resistant to crises and that while 5 million people were put out of their jobs following the 2008 financial crisis, 3.8 million people entered into employment, “As a success of the Turkish private sector, the Turkish economy broke a world record in 2011 by achieving a growth of 8.5%.”

Stating that starting with 1961, Turks who immigrated to Europe have become success stories, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the Turks living in the Netherlands are providing employment to 55,000 people and running 20,000 establishments.

- Together, we are stronger

Emphasizing that in order to further develop the synergy they have generated in the last 50 years, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turks living abroad need to form partnerships and that thorough this, the Turkish diaspora will become a world power. Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the Turkish nation which created 16 empires throughout history can make the latest Turkish state the world’s strongest economy if they were to move in unison.

Pointing out the importance of the World Turkish Business Council (DTİK), Hisarcıklıoğlu invited Turkish entrepreneurs spread to the four corners of the earth to join DTİK.

Addressing the women entrepreneurs in the hall, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that women should be give more opportunities and that young women should be brought up with enterprising spirits.

- European Union Minister and Head Negotiator Egemen Bağış

European Union Minister and Head Negotiator Egemen Bağış stated that the hospitality afforded President Gül is an indication of the esteem Turkey has gained in Europe and in the world. Bağış said that the main contributors to this are the Turkish entrepreneurs living abroad.

Stating that 92% of the Netherlands economy is SMEs, Bağış said that there is a wide variety of opportunities for cooperation between Turkey and the Netherlands.

Bağış said that their expectations of the Turks living abroad are that they be respectful of differences, move in unison and give priority to education and urged that entrepreneurs be organized under a single organization.

- Emphasis on the importance of Turkish capital by HOTİAD

HOTİAD President Turgut Torunoğulları provided information regarding the activities of the association. Drawing attention to the investments made by Turkish entrepreneurs in Europe, Torunoğulları emphasized the importance of the strengthening Turkish capital within the European economy.

Feijenoord Municipality Director Seyit Yeyden spoke about the project to form a Turkish center in order to aid Turkish entrepreneurs investing in the area.
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