Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In reference to İstanbul being “the City of Seven Hills”, individuals, organizations and institutions were awarded for their successes in seven categories ranging from economy, culture-arts, science and social responsibility to investment, branding and urbanism.

Speaking at the ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it shows both vision and loyalty for İstanbul to be award success, having itself become a global brand.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This is only befitting of our community which strives to preserve its heritage. I would like to thank everyone involved.”

Stating that the business community knows history well, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, that the economic crisis of 14 years prior cost the business community dearly.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they appreciate the value of stability enjoyed today all the more so because of that and went on, “The President of the Republic, during his time as Prime Minister, was instrumental in the implementation of many reforms which opened the way for the private sector to bring us where we are today.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that the private sector has invested 176 billion TRY in machinery last year, providing employment for 1.2 million new people, resulting in the success of many sectors.

Reporting that they a4re 7^th in the world in terms of agricultural income; 35.9 million tourists were hosted last year, putting us at the 6^th most preferred tourist destination in the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We are the second largest construction sector in the world after China. We’ve achieved many successes which I can’t list fully here. We achieved all this with the endeavors of the members of our community all over the world. I would like to thank all the members of the Turkish business community for their contributions to the country’s development.”