Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it is of historical importance that they’ve been elected to this position in EUROCHAMBRES which represents 44 European countries and expressed his pride on behalf of Turkey. Kosovo’s EURCHAMBRES membership was also announced to applause.

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) has achieved great success in Europe. The Union of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES) has unanimously elected TOBB as “permanent vice president” beginning in 2016, a post previously held by Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland.

This is hailed as a great success for a non-EU member to achieve, putting it on the level with EU member countries. Following the election, it was regarded as a revolutionary decision.

Work regarding the restructuring of EUROCHAMBRES began in 2011 when the effects of the Euro crisis were felt most violently. The undertaking since 2011 has been ratified at the General Assembly which took place on the 16^th of October, 2015. EUROCHAMBRES remains the largest business community organization of Europe, representing 44 countries, 1700 local and regional chambers and 20 million establishments.

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his pride on behalf of the Turkish private sector, he stated that this decision be EUROCHAMBRES is a concrete success on an instructional level in regards to Turkey’s work in integrating with the European economy, “We have achieved the greatest success by a non-EU member in EUROCHAMBRES. I thank everyone who contributed to this.”

- TOBB’s contributions to Kosovo’s membership

EUROCHAMBRES increased the number of its members with Kosovo gaining EUROCHAMBRES membership.

Based on the positive report presented to the EUROCHAMBRES General Assembly on the 16^th of October, 2015, by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Kosovo’s bid for membership was discussed.

Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the presidents of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their constructive contributions.

Stating that the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce meets the requirements of EUROCHAMBRES membership, Hisarcıklıoğlu requested the support of General Assembly delegates for Kosovo’s membership bid. Kosovo Chamber of Commerce’s membership was accepted after it was voted on by members.