Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that history has dubbed İzmir, “the city which dazzles the sun,” and that İzmir is the home of the Goddess Artemis.

Stating that, as the inheritor of nearly 3,000 years of cultural heritage, İzmir stands ready to share this glorious past with all humanity as a candidate for EXPO 2020, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“Today, with its 19 organized industry zones, 2 free trade zones and advanced technology development center, İzmir is one of Turkey’s locomotive cities. As one of the most attractive cities for tourists in Turkey, İzmir is a city of global tourism.

We believe that İzmir’s luminescence of the heart of ancient civilizations will bring health and energy to the world with EXPO 2020. As the Turkish business world, we support İzmir in this endeavor and we stand with İzmir.

We have DEİK, the Turkish private sector’s international representative with its business councils with 106 countries and 63 of Turkey’s 100 largest companies as its members. We have the young entrepreneurs’ and women entrepreneurs’ councils. This great community is the assurance that EXPO 2020 will be the greatest and most impressive organization held to date.”

- Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Binali Yıldırım

Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Binali Yıldırım, in regards to İzmir’s EXPO 2020 candidacy said, “Having lost EXPO 2015 in an unfortunate manner, we will win EXPO for İzmir. I can see the determination for it in the eyes of everyone. I heartily believe that we will succeed.”

Minister Yıldırım stated that EXPO increases the friendship, trade and tourism in the countries it is held in, and that their expectations for Turkey even more than that.

- BIE President wishes luck

BIE President Ferdinand Nagy, stating that EXPO is an organization which invites the taking of responsibility in the international community, said that the activity acts as a bridge between societies.

Stating that EXPO provides opportunity for self improvement, Nagy said, “We wish you the best of luck for EXPO 2020 in İzmir.”

- İzmir Governor Kıraç and İzmir Municipality Director Kocaoğlu

İzmir Governor Cahit Kıraç stated that the heart of the Turkish business world beats for EXPO 2020 and said, “We have provided the delegation with a detailed presentation about İzmir. We stand behind our words.”

İzmir Municipality Director Aziz Kocaoğlu stated all political parties and civil society organizations have come together for İzmir’s EXPO candidacy and that he believes they are conducting successful efforts to this end.