Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

At the opening of the meeting, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Turkey and the Middle East Senior Vice President Khush Choksy, gave speeches.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said in his speech that they have been cooperating with TOBB and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for a long time, working together on various projects, organizing sector-specific, technical meetings, among them, the health sector holds the most important place.

Thanks to the long-established health system and the effective management of Minister Koca, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the pandemic process in Turkey has been successfully managed, “I would like to once again express my gratitude to our health workers, who connect us to life, especially our Minister. So, as TOBB, from day one, we acted in consultation with all segments. We compiled business people's problems, demands and recommendations and passed them on to the Government. We have contributed to the preparation process of support packages. Now, we are working to adapt to the post-Covid-19 period.”

Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Turkey and the Middle East, said TOBB has been cooperating robustly with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Health in the health sector for over five years.

Stating that they support Turkey's efforts to combat the Coronavirus and closely follow the ongoing normalization process in both countries, Choksy congratulated the Turkish Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Authority under the Ministry of Health for being the newest regulatory member of ICH.

Referring to the opportunity to cooperate in three areas between the two countries, Choksy outlined these opportunities: “The rapid access/approval system for treatments/vaccines to be developed for the patients of Covid-19 and comorbidities, cooperation between US research hospitals and Turkey's city hospitals, and the successful fight against pandemics under the leadership of the Minister in Turkey to improve health tourism.”

Health Minister Koca also gave a speech on Turkey's fight with Covid-19 and the Future of Turkey-US Cooperation in Health. Minister Koca, referring to the work done in the process of combating Covid-19, said that the success of states in dealing with the epidemic highlights the concept of state capacity, and that those who invest in health, food, supply chains and infrastructure have had a more success.

Minister Koca, after his speech, answered questions posed by the member companies of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.