Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Afterwards, Hisarcıklıoğlu gave the first lesson on “The Role of the Private Sector in Enterprise and Development”, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurship will only grow as strong as it is nurtured in its infancy,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on to say that TOBB plays an important role in bringing entrepreneurship to the fore in Turkey.

Drawing attention to the development of entrepreneurship, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the level of prosperity and the ability to compete in the international economic arena increases in countries which harbor a culture of enterprise. Stating that it is the entrepreneurs which are behind the level of success Turkey has enjoyed in the last 30 years, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Turkey’s exports volume has increased from 3 billion USD to 160 billion USD with 62% of this being conducted by small and medium sized establishments (SMEs).

Hisarcıklıoğlu advised the students to first dream and then define goals for themselves and work hard for success. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Entrepreneurship will gain you two benefits: jobs and prosperity. Why did the Ottoman Empire collapse? It is because it wasn’t an entrepreneurial society. Soviet Russia, a super power. They launched satellites into orbit but couldn’t distribute food. Investment, employment and prosperity are provided by the private sector.”

Reminding that Turkey has no reserves of petroleum or natural gas, he said, “There’s no oil or gas. And better for it. Wealth is not below the ground, it’s above it. The same is true for you. You are the wealth of Kyrgyzstan.”

Stating that the state’s duty is to prepare a field suitable for business, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the importance of developing an environment conducive to business and economic competition.

During the ceremony, the Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University Rector Prof. Dr. Sebahattin Balcı said in his speech, “We have a long way to go; many things to do and no time. That is why we must work hard.”

Stating that after 1982, Turkey has shown great progress with the private sector being instrumental in this with TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu being at the head of the private sector, Rector Prof. Dr. Balcı said that they consider Hisarcıklıoğlu worthy of an honorary doctorate for representing the mission of the Manas University and contributions to the development of Turkey.

Following the speeches, Rector Prof. Dr. Balcı presented the diploma for an honorary doctorate to TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.

Rector Prof. Dr. Balcı presented an oil painting of Hisarcıklıoğlu to him which was painted by the students as well as a wall hanging adorned with traditional Kyrgyz motifs.

Afterwards a coordination agreement between TOBB ETU and the Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University was signed.