Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Following the 2nd Commercial Counselors Conference held at the Ministry of Economy, a business dinner was held at the Marriot Hotel hosted by the TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. Attending the dinner in addition to Hisarcıklıoğlu were Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan, DEİK and TOBB members, businessmen and commercial counselors.

TOBB and DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are happy to finally see the image they have been longing for and that the contribution of commercial counselors to the great success of the private sector is quite significant.

Stating that they are the best situated to appreciate the change of mentality in the commercial counselors abroad, Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked all commercial counselors and Minister Çağlayan for the developments.

Making a presentation regarding the works of TOBB and DEİK, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that DEİK has 38 founding partners and that there are no other institution like it in Turkey. Stating that they have increased the business councils of DEİK to 109 and that they continue to spread out to Anatolia, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that there were over 700 activities held last year.

TOBB and DEİK President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that DEİK is the single most institution investing in information.

- “This level of incentive is unprecedented”

Emphasizing the advantages brought on by the Incentives Law, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The Ministry is saying, ‘Pick a sector, take 10 companies with you, pick a market and see what incentives there are.’ There is an incentive of 75% support when it comes to fair participation, market research, bringing in an acquisition delegation from abroad or taking one abroad, when it comes to innovation and strategy. This level of incentive is unprecedented. This is how we will achieve our goal of 500 billion Dollars in exports. We will take careful aim and go for our target.”

Stating that the government has done everything for them, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they want to make good use of this opportunity.

-Turkish diaspora

Stating that by establishing the World Turkish Business Council, they want a stronger Turkish diaspora in the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu urged the commercial counselors abroad to invite the Turkish businessmen in to the Turkish diaspora.

Going into detail about the works of TOBB, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that commercial counselors need to support the promotion of local goods in Turkey to reach brand status.

- Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan

The Minister of Economy, Zafer Çağlayan said, “We are opening the railway transportation to the private sector while keeping the railroads a property of the state. May it be prosperous for all involved. Come and establish your own company and carry for cheaper. Here is your opportunity.”

Çağlayan stated that he and every single person of the Ministry of Economy is ready to work tooth and nail for Turkish investors and businessmen.

Stating that commercial counselors are working to assist the investments of Turkish businessmen abroad, Çağlayan emphasized the importance of this mentality in the success that has been achieved.

Çağlayan expressed his gratification that there is a significant amount of investment made by Turkey abroad as well as an increasing amount of direct investments made to Turkey.

Reminding that they have divided Turkey up into 6 zones according to the new Incentives System, Çağlayan invited businessmen to invest in said zones.
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