Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The 5^th meeting of the Turkic Business Council held by the Turkic Council and Atameken Entrepreneurs Association of Kazakhstan was held in Astana.

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of Azerbaijan Confederation of Businessmen Mamed Musayev, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Marat Şarsekeyev and Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan Chairman Ablay Mırzahmetov attended the meeting chaired by Turkic Council Secretary General Ramil Hasanov. 

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In the last 5 years, the business association between the Turkic states has been institutionalized. The bilateral relations between our countries are at strategic levels. Our aim as the Turkic Council is to bring these relations to higher levels.”

Underlining the necessity of strengthening the entrepreneurship of the Turkic republics, Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that Turkey opened its private sector to the world and competition 1980s. 

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the world economy has started to revitalize after the crisis and said: 

“After America, signs of recovery have also come from European economies. The Russian economy, which suffered a fall last year, is expected to grow this year. When the world economy begins to grow we have the market to sell our products. Global trade in 2017 will be better than in 2016. The largest export market for both Turkey and the Turkic republics is Europe and Russia. If we want to take advantage of this opportunity in the future, we must increase our business alliance and trade capacity.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that TOBB has established one of the best chambers systems in the world, “Our system was carved with expeditions traveling Anatolia along the Silk Road from Turkestan by Akhis and lodges. We need to have the most out of the system that emerges from these lands. We are pleased that this system will find a counterpart in the lands of the Turkic Council.

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the importance of the signing of the joint chamber system protocol with Kazakhstan, elevating the chamber system to new heights.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also drew attention to the compulsory membership-based chamber system work with Kyrgyzstan last year. “I hope that Kyrgyzstan's private sector contribution will increase with the passing of the law. Likewise, it would be a very positive development for Azerbaijan to be structured in this way.”

- "We must create a joint transport corridor" 

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the importance of transportation corridors in the development of trade and said, “We need to create our own transport corridor as the Turkic Council. We need to create a transport corridor so that we can work in the most productive way even when global risks are rising.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the corridor to be built over the Caspian Sea has the potential to be one of the main vessels for world trade, “If we take the goods traffic between China and Europe, we will have reached the greatest wealth.”

The 4^th meeting of the Turkish Kernel Business Council was held in Kyrgyzstan last year.

 - Other speakers

Turkish Council Secretary General Hasanov spoke on the matters of work of the technical experts, the utilization of the business portal of Turkic Council by the member countries, the provision of business education to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan experts by TOBB and other issues.

Kazakhstan Chamber of Entrepreneurs Chamber Chairman Mırzahmetov emphasized the importance of improving business ties between Turkish speaking countries and said, "I believe that we started our business with TOBB with a business association protocol and that our future counterparts from Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan will join us. 

As a part of the meeting, a contract was signed between the Chamber of Kazakhstan Entrepreneurs and TOBB, for cooperation and the establishment of the Turkish-Kazakh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu held bilateral talks with Kyrgyzstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Marat Şarşekev and Azerbaijan Businessmen Confederation President Mamed Musayev after the meeting.