Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the summit attended by the Russian Federation Tatarstan Autonomous Republic President Rustam Minnihanov, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are attending the summit representing the Turkish business world, attending together with presidents of chambers and exchanges from every region of Turkey.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB is the umbrella organization of the business world in Turkey, “Both domestic and foreign; small, medium and large-sized firms all are our members. We have 1.5 million members. We represent all sectors of the economy, such as trade, industry, agriculture, logistics, contracting and tourism. We also have a very large network abroad. We are involved in the management of business organizations in both Europe, Asia-Pacific and Islamic geography. I am the Vice President of EUROCHAMBRES, the largest European business organization as well as the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that there is a representative office of TOBB in Moscow and that they are working together with the Russian Federation Chambers of Commerce and Industry on a bilateral level and within EUROCHAMBRES.

Stressed that they attach importance to the development of relations between Turkey and the Russian Federation, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We want to elevate our bilateral economic relations to the highest level. Our business people have been active in the Russian Federation for a long time. They also established successful partnerships. As a result, our trade volume with Russia reached 26 billion USD in 2018. Turkey was the most preferred tourism destination for Russians in 2018.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the expansion of cooperation between Russia and Turkey has also made great contributions to the development of relations with Tatarstan.

Pointing out that the Republic of Tatarstan is one of the most economically developed, richest and regions with the highest level of welfare in the Russian Federation, the TOBB President noted, “Kazan is an exceptional city which contains both the richness and culture of Russia and the science of the East. The University of Kazan has a long history of over 200 years. One of the 3 oldest universities in Russia. Many famous names, such as Tolstoy and Lenin, graduated from here or studied here. Many names instrumental in the establishment and development of the Republic of Turkey are also of Tatar descent: Yusuf Akçura, Sadri Maksudi and İsmail Gaspıralı among them. Turkey’s most important historians are also of Tatar origin: İlber Ortaylı and Kemal Karpat. Famous Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay is very well known and well-loved in Turkey. In his memory, both in Istanbul and Ankara, there is a street and a park with his statue and name at the city center. In fact, President Rustem Minnikhanov has honored us with a speech at one of the openings in 2012. Kazan and Istanbul are sister cities. In short, our bilateral relations with Tatarstan have strong historical and economic basis.”

Stating that they want to increase trade and cooperation with Tatarstan, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Tatarstan has become an important investment center for our companies. The most important part of the Turkish investments in Russia is located in Tatarstan. Total Turkish investments are around 2.5 billion USD. Among the foreign-owned companies operating in Tatarstan, Turkish companies rank first. This gives us pride and happiness. Tatarstan President Minnihanov's contribution to Turkish capital being the first in Tatarstan is immense. I express my gratitude to them.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that a total of 73 billion USD worth of projects have been realized by Turkish contractors in Russia, and that 2 billion USD of these projects are in Tatarstan.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they want to increase volume of trade and investment improve and that there is opportunity for investment in in all fields between Turkey and Tatarstan.

Touching on the importance of the summit, as a representative of the Islamic world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “About 20 million Muslims live in Russia. Islam and the Muslim community are part of Russia. The Russian Federation is one of the 5 states that is accepted as an observer member by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation although it is not an Islamic country. Therefore, Russia and the Islamic world should consider opportunities together. This organization is extremely important for the development of cooperation between the Russian Federation and Islamic countries. This necessary, because I have to say with regret that the Islamic world is in a very troubled period. In economy, technology, innovation, we're always behind. We must read the world correctly and understand these well: First, whatever countries are developing in the world, it is because they put importance on 3 freedoms: Freedom of opinion, freedom of belief and freedom of enterprise. These lie at the foundations of Turkey post-1980.

Second, trade. In ruins following two world wars, Europe has come so far. They established economic unity among themselves, ended conflicts and wars, prospered together. We have not a single year in peace and tranquility. The most important way to change the bad image of the Islamic world is trade. Because trade is the greatest source of peace. Traders don’t talk war. Therefore, we must first remove trade barriers between our countries and increase trade with each other. We must write a success story like the European Union. For instance, people trade with countries which they have easy access to. After the commencement of trade, they make investments and establish partnerships. So, we must identify and remove any obstacles that make trade difficult, such as visas and transitional documents between us.”

After the summit, Hisarcıklıoğlu attended a press conference organized by the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnihanov to evaluate the summit.

- 2^nd Russian Islamic Cooperation Organization Halal Expo Opened

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu participated in the opening ceremony of the 2^nd Russia Islamic Cooperation Organization Halal Expo in Tatarstan with the participation of the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnihanov. Hisarcıklıoğlu toured the booths with President Minnihanov.

Hisarcıklıoğlu and his accompanying delegation visited the Tatarstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkey’s Consulate General to Kazan.

Accompanying TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu in the delegation were TOBB Vice President Selçuk Öztürk, TOBB Board Member Davut Çetin, Adana Commodity Exchange President Şahin Bilgiç, Denilzi Commodity Exchange President İbrahim Tefenlili, TOBB Foreign Affairs Commission President and MerzifonChamber of Commerce and Industry President Dursun Dağdelen and Yerköy Commodity Exchange President Derviş Esatbeyoğlu.