Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the 3-day Accreditation Workshop in Diyarbakır hosted by Diyarbakır Commodity Exchange President Engin Yeşil and Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mehmet Kaya, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Diyarbakır is a stronghold of spiritual culture and a city of civilizations.

Pointing to the importance of accreditation, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have to constantly renew and improve ourselves. We need to have a corporate structure and work professionally. The accreditation system is the best roadmap for us in this regard. An indication of the importance we attach to this work as TOBB management is that we constantly revise the system and criteria. To be more objective and more efficient; we are always increasing the resources we devote to audits, visits and trainings. We are constantly improving the system and making it better.”

In his speech, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that chambers/exchanges at the foundation of brand provinces and districts, “To make your city a brand, you will take the lead, you will guide our community and entrepreneurs; you will mobilize all stakeholders in provinces and districts. At this point, we need to continue to collect the demands and needs of our members and companies in order to further improve the quality of service.”

Stating that the chamber and commodity exchange system in Turkey is viewed as an example abroad, the TOBB President said, “The President of the Union of German Chambers was our guest and remarked that they have a much to learn from us.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined the need to raise the standards even more, “We cannot stop because we’ve succeeded as it is not only countries which are brands in the world: Provinces, even districts are becoming brands in order to stand out in competition. You are the opinion leaders of your provinces, districts. Chambers and commodity exchanges are at the foundation of brand provinces and districts. In order to make your city a brand, you will take the lead and guide our community and entrepreneurs. You will mobilize all stakeholders in provinces and districts. At this point, we need to continue to collect the demands and needs of our members and companies in order to further improve the quality of service. We need to know what services they expect from us. We need to be institutions which work on a level of quality and activity as befits our community.”

- Speaking with families whose children have been kidnapped

Hisarcıklıoğlu also met with families whose children were kidnapped by the terrorist organization as a part of his Diyarbakır itinerary. Hisarcıklıoğlu, at a luncheon at Diyarbakır Teachers' Center, spoke with the families one by one and received information about their children.