Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Contributions of Chambers to the Turkey – EU Civil Society Dialogue, ETCF-II Closing Session was held at the TOBB Union Center with the attendances of EUROCHAMBRES Vice President and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Central Finance and Tenders Department President Muhsin Altun, EU Turkey Delegation President Stefano Manservisi and the EU Ministry Undersecretary Proxy Ahmet Yücel.

EUROCHAMBRES Vice President and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that there was significant capacity problem in chambers and exchanges in 2001 when the first Chamber Development Program was started; that the EU members’ chambers had difficulty finding chambers and exchanges finding matches.

- 41 chamber and exchanges matched with 34 EU chambers

Stating that 41 Turkish chambers and exchanges had matched with 34 EU chambers, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Matching projects have spread everywhere in Turkey. Batman and Şırnak with Gümülcine TSO; Diyarbakır TSO Prato Chamber in Italy; Eskişehir Chamber of Industry and Kütahya TSO with Stuttgart Chamber in Germany; Trabzon Commodity Exchange with Kaseres Chamber in Spain; Uzun Köprü Commodity Exchange, Uzun Köprü TSO and Kavala TSO with Sibiu TSO in Romania.” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that these matching projects support international trade, innovation, clustering, agricultural subventions; cooperation in regards to environmental and vocational training issues.

Stating that they support the EU membership process as the Turkish business community, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the expedition of Turkey – EU negotiations and the advances in technical issues should not be halted because of political decisions.

- EU Ministry Undersecretary Proxy Ahmet Yücel

EU Ministry Undersecretary Proxy Ahmet Yücel stated that EU negotiations and the advances in technical issues should not be halted because of political decisions.

Stating that along with Turkey’s membership, EU goal of peace would take on a global property rather than just a regional initiative, Yücel pointed out that the expansion of the Customs Union is to the benefit of both parties.

- EU Turkey Delegation President Stefano Manservisi

European Union Turkey Delegation President Stefano Manservisi, stating that the EU has overcome the crisis and that it is necessary to ensure that recovery is sustainable.

Pointing out that R&D spending is not enough in Turkey’s public spending, that progress in innovation is limited, Manservisi stated that both reforms and structures need to be invested in.

- Central Finance and Tenders Department President Muhsin Altun

Central Finance and Tenders Department President Muhsin Altun provided information in regards to grant contracts. Drawing attention to the need to raise awareness to EU funds, Altun reported that many companies are uninformed in regards to these funds.