Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

M. RİFAT HİSARCIKLIOĞLU PRESIDENT OF TOBB

 

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu earned his B.A. degree in Economics and Management from Gazi University in Ankara. After completing his undergraduate degree, his career started in family business and currently he is the Chairman of Eskihisar Group of Companies, which operates in the fields of construction, construction materials, export and import, investments, land development, food industry and automotive sector.

After a one year vice-presidency period at The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), the largest non-profit business organization in Türkiye, covering 367 Chambers and Commodity Exchanges and representing more than 2 million companies, Hisarcıklıoğlu was elected as the President of TOBB in 2001 and was re-elected respectively in 2002, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2018 and 2023.

International Associations M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu Serves in

• President of the World Chambers Federation (WCF) (2023-...)
• Vice President of the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES) (2009-…)
• Vice President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) (2009-…)
• Vice President of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) (2014-…)
• Honorary President of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry (2024-....)
• Board Member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) (2023-...)
• Chairman of B20 Turkey (2015-…)
• ICC G-20 Advisory Group Member (2011 - …)
• Chairman of ICC-Turkey (2001-…)
• Board Member of the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) (2002-…)
• Board Member of ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECO-CCI) (2007-…)
• President of D-8 Chambers of Commerce and Industry (2017-…)
• Co-President of the Turkish-African Chamber (2008-…)
• Co-President of the Turkish-Arab Chamber (2016-...)
• Ankara Forum for Economic Cooperation between Palestine, Israel and Turkey  (2005-…)
• İstanbul Forum for Economic Cooperation between Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey (2007-…)
• Co-Chairman of the EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee (2016-…)
• President of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry (2019-2024)

National Associations M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu Serves in

• Honorary President of TOBB Women Entrepreneurship Council (2007-…)
• Honorary President of TOBB Youth Entrepreneurship Council (2009-…)
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TOBB University of Economics and Technology (2003-…)
• Chairman of the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) (2004-…)
• Board Member of Turkey Wealth Fund Management (2018 - ….)
• Founding Chairman & Advisory Board Member of Construction Installation Industry Materials Association (TİMKODER) (1998-…)
• Chairman of Turkey’s Automobile Joint Venture Group (TOGG) (2018 - 2024)

Medals

Medal of Friendship of the Republic of Azerbaijan - 18 September 2022 State Order by the Federal Republic of Germany - 9 July 2021 The Spanish Order of Civil Merit with degree of Encomienda - 27 June 2019 The Legion of Honour by the French Republic - 19 November 2015 Medal for Development of Friendship and Cooperation from Kazakhstan - 7 December 2011 Gold Medal of Merit by the Austrian Republic - 19 March 2009 The 'Commendatore' from the Italian Republic - 2 June 2006 The Medal of Inspiration from Mongolia - 6 June 2004

Awards

High Honor and Service Award from Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce - 24 November 2023 Certificate of Honor by the Republic of Uzbekistan- 27 July 2020 The Gratitude Award from the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry - 15 November 2019 Honorary Membership Award from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania - 1 December 2018 The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Gold Medal - 3 December 2014 The Mediterranean Leadership Award by the John Hopkins University, USA - 14 August 2013 Medal of Honor by Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry - 20 May 2011 Medal of Honor by Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry - 26 January 2011 Medal of Honor from the Assembly of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry - 25 October 2007

Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University – 15 April 2025 Samsun University - 18 May 2022 Ardahan University - 9 November 2021 Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University - 10 February 2020 Van Yüzüncü Yıl University - 25 December 2019 Osmaniye Korkut Ata University - 16 December 2019 Kayseri Erciyes University - 19 November 2019 İskenderun Teknik University - 28 October 2019 Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University - 16 February 2016 Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University - 9 October 2015 Bayburt University - 3 May 2015 Niğde University - 20 June 2014 Kırgızistan-Türkiye Manas University - 2 December 2013 İzmir Ekonomi University - 3 November 2010 Karadeniz Teknik University - 18 October 2008

Honorary Townsman Awards

Bursa City Insignia of Service Certificate - 29 August 2022 Erzurum Pasinler Municipality - 20 August 2022 Samsun Metropolitan Municipality - 19 May 2022 Malatya Battalgazi Municipality - 7 June 2018 Edirne Municipality - 25 November 2015 Niğde Municipality - 20 June 2014 Kırşehir Municipality - 28 September 2013 Çankırı Municipality - 4 January 2013 Kırıkkale Municipality - 24 May 2012 Kütahya Hisarcık Municipality - 10 November 2008