Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Making the opening speeches of the Entrepreneurship Policies Conference organized by the Turkey Economic Policy Research Foundation (TEPAV) were made by TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu and the USA’s Ambassador to Ankara, Francis Ricciardone. Hisarcıklıoğlu said in his speech, “Entrepreneurship means prosperity. Whoever wants to prosper must increase the number of their entrepreneurs.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out that the economic cooperation with the USA has grown rapidly in recent years and that many of the projects have been geared towards developing entrepreneurship in Turkey and the region.

Drawing attention to the fact that Turkey is one of the prominent actors of the region and the world with its rapidly growing, dynamic economy and population and brave entrepreneurs, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“We can trace the roots of Turkey’s economic transformation to the 1980’s. Thirty years ago, Turkey’s transition from agricultural economy to industrial economy was started the late Özal. Turkey’s annual export volume was 3 billion dollars, 92% of which was agricultural produce. Today, the Turkish private sector and Turkish entrepreneurs have shown just what they are capable of if let loose.

There is no petroleum or natural gas in Turkey. What we do have is a great enterprising spirit. We discovered that 30 years ago. Turkey has come to a point where we export 150 billion dollars’ worth of goods each year and increase the volume each year; where 92% of our exports are industrial goods.”

Stating that Turkey is the world’s 16th and Europe’s 6th largest economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Turkey holds the strongest private sector between Italy and China.

Reporting that TOBB has started work to increase entrepreneurship, especially in regions where it is weak, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Entrepreneurs have brought Turkey’s economy to where it is today. It is within their power to go a lot further. We are living in the century of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship means prosperity. If you want to be rich, you need to increase the number of entrepreneurs. Each entrepreneur means a new source of employment, prosperity, hope, peace and progress.

- “A shift in mentality is necessary for women to work”

Relating how they established the Women Entrepreneurs Council, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the fact that among the 1.5 million entrepreneurs, only 70,000 are women in a country which has a population of equal gender ratio. Looking at the employment figures worldwide, the average is 47%, Europe stands at 60% while Turkey is only at 25%.

Stating that the ‘girls should attend good schools but stay home afterwards’ mentality needs to change, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“I call out to parents; do not be unfair to your children. All that is unjust is doomed to fall. Turkey had business and industrial facilities a hundred years ago as well. But when you look to see how many establishments have been around for a hundred years, you won’t find more than ten. Why? The unjust acts of parents. They cut off their daughters from their wills because they would be married off, relying solely on male progeny won’t last you a second generation in your business. Why? Because you distribute your wealth unfairly.”

- “Real prosperity is entrepreneurship”

Talking about the Young Entrepreneurs Council also established by TOBB, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Turkey’s age average is 28.5, a very young population, and that if this young population properly guided, it would be extremely beneficial for Turkey.

Stating that of the world poorest 48 countries, 22 of them are Islamic countries where petroleum and natural gas have failed to bring prosperity, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that real prosperity is entrepreneurship. Hisarcıklıoğlu talked about the important steps they’ve taken to support entrepreneurs in regards to “angel investors” and venture capital.
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