Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Australia - Turkey Business Council was established, under the witness of Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and TOBB/DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, through an agreement signed by the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEİK) and the Australian Industry Group (AIG).

The meeting which began with the opening speeches of AIG Director Mark Goodsell and DEİK Turkish-Australian Business Council President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and TOBB/DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu as well as the TOBB Board Member Cengiz Günay, Turkish and Australian CEOs.

Expressing his hopes for the success of the agreement signed between the two institutions, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined the historical friendship between the two countries and said, "Our current trade volume does not reflect its full potential."

Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out that there is a shifting trend from the west to the east in economy as one of the results of the global crisis, expressed that engendering stronger and more varied trade relations with the Asia Pacific region is in line with Turkey's strategic interests. TOBB/DEİK President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "This is the right time to create stronger economic relations between Australia and Turkey."

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan stated that the agreement is very important in regards to creating more opportunities for the representatives of the Turkish and Australian private sectors, pointing out the common ground of democracy, human rights and liberal economy valued by the people of Turkey and Australia. Stating that the preparations for the Centennial Anzac Memorial Ceremony will be held in 2015, Babacan reported that preparations have already begun, "We are anticipating a record number of Australian visitors to Çanakkale in the next year; this will bring our peoples closer."

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Following the founding of the Australia - turkey Business Council, Babacan and Hisarcıklıoğlu met with the DTİK members and the Turks living in the region in a meeting attended by over 120 people; they expressed their pleasure in finding such a large attendance.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey, with its current economy, has relatively little to no relations with Australia - stating that if Turks do not act in unity and solidarity, they will miss significant opportunities for growth.

Babacan emphasized the importance of embracing each other for Turks living abroad.

The meeting continued with questions from attendees, focusing on an exchange of ideas for developing economic and trade relations between Turkey and Australia.