Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Individuals who will also be acting as Vice President during the 2014-2015 terms are the Austrian Chamber of Commerce’s Marta Schultz, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce’s Pierre Gramegna.

Elected to EUROCHAMBRES Board Membership are Andre Marcon of the French Chamber of Commerce, Michl Ebner of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Andrzej Arendarski of the Polish Chamber of Commerce and the Miquel Valls i Maseda of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce.

- “A great honor on behalf of my country and the Turkish business world”

At the meeting wherein the results of the General Assembly were announced, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have convened the European business community in İstanbul, holding the EUROCHAMBRES Global Chamber Platform meeting, the EUROCHAMBRES Economic Forum, and the 114^th General Assembly of the EUROCHAMBRES.

Reporting that he has been reelected as Vice President by a record vote, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Before, we were the first Vice President elected from a non-EU country. That was a first then and having received all of the 83 valid votes is a great honor on behalf of my country and the Turkish business world.”

Stating that this illustrates clearly the way the European business community views Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“The European business community is for Turkey becoming a part of the EU; for the economies of Europe and Turkey to be integrated, believing that Turkey’s economy will grant momentum to Europe’s. We, as the Turkish business community and TOBB, are doing our best to promote our country and relaying the interests of the business community to the European political leaders, helping Europe to leaving the crisis behind and move on to a brighter future.

The world’s economy has shifted towards a new axis. Due to the inactivity of the WTO, the USA is looking for partnerships along two 2 axis: One of them, the Transatlantic Commerce and Investment Partnership with Europe as well as another over on the Pacific side. When this is achieved, three fourths of the world’s economy will be brought together in Europe and the Pacific with no obstacles. It is inconceivable that Turkey would be left out of this. If Turkey is integrated into this chain, we will be a part of a great market.”

- “Turkey will continue its economic development”

The new president of EUROCHAMBRES, Richard Weber, stated that the organization of the EUROCHAMBRES General Assembly is İstanbul is testament to the success of TOBB and said, “Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, for me, is one of the most important people in the Mediterranean. Someone who can embody Europe and Asia in a single person; someone who can see that Turkey will take on important roles in the future.”

Stating that Turkey will become one of the most important actors in Europe in the coming years, Weber said that Turkey, a stable country, will continue its economic development.

Weber stated that, due to his daughter’s work in İstanbul at the World Bank, he has a personal connection with Turkey and that the relations between Germany and Turkey are especially significant for both countries.

Stating that EUROCHAMBRES has made important advances under the presidency of Alessandro Barberis in the last four years, Weber reported that they have declared Barberis a lifelong ambassador for EUROCHAMBRRES.

Pointing out three subjects they will focus on in the new term, Weber went on, “Firstly, we plan on consolidating chambers in an inclusive and growing network. To not only bring together the biggest and brightest, but all countries; I want to work with the business community within a single market with harmonious ethical and cultural values.”

Stating that, secondly, they want to come to the fore as a dependable economic development partner, Weber said that they would be giving political leaders and institutions messages to this end while thirdly, they will be opening organization branches in many countries.

- EUROCHAMBRES Economic Forum results

During the meeting, the results of the EUROCHAMBRES Economic Forum were announced by the EUROCHAMBRES Secretary General Arnaldo Abruzzini.

Abruzzini stated that they have focused on four matters during the Forum. These being, “First, investment, financing and supporting newly established companies via educational and supportive activities. Second, the necessity of European countries to have an international vision and having the chambers become effective in this regard.

Third, we have focused on enabling entrepreneurship potentials, especially those of women. Lastly, we have focused on the importance of supporting R&D processes in regards to the increasing importance of reindustrialization in Europe. As a result, chambers are candidates to enact change in European countries.”