Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the opening ceremony of the 19^th Executive Council, 13^th General Assembly and Committee Meetings of the Economic Cooperation Organization Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECO CCI). In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the business community is not only the guarantor of prosperity in the region but also that of peace, “Because peace, trade and prosperity are inseparable parts of a whole. Without one, the others are impossible.”

Touching on the subject of global instability, the TOBB President stated that this instability is in fact the birthing pains of a new era. Stating that this period of change will reshape global political and economic situation, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “New balances of power and alliances will take shape in the future. Countries which analyze the process well and prepare accordingly will be winners in the new era.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “The USA was the first to get a handle on global developments. They are working on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the EU while also working with Asia-Pacific countries to form the Transpacific Economic Partnership. The USA, EU and Pacific countries – two thirds of the world’s economy – will work together.

They will make the rules. Their countries and peoples will prosper. And what are we doing? We’ve not made any advance. We walled ourselves off from each other. We’ve been talking about the importance of ECOTA for years but there is no progress. Why are we unable to match the Europeans’ success? Perhaps we lack knowledge or conviction. However, unless we develop our trade relations we will be unable to develop the other aspects of our relations as well.”

- ECOTA must enter into effect with no more delays

Stating that there is no more time to lose Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the need to put the ECOTA into effect with all due haste. Stressing the importance of the visa issue in increasing cooperation, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Our culture is one wherein brothers need not ask for permission to visit each other. But we continue to block each other off. As Turkey, we don’t require visa permits from nearly any ECO countries. However, our citizens can only travel to a very few ECO countries without visa permits.”

- G20 Term President will be Turkey

Reporting that Turkey will be taking over as G20 Term President next year, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Additionally, the Business 20 (B20) has been formed to handle the business side of G20. Turkey will be taking over G20 duties. I have been elected as B20 Board Chairman. B20’s Turkey efforts will be spearheaded by TOBB as the Turkish business umbrella organization.” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that their primary goals will be to increase cooperation while maintaining stability and prosperity.

At the end of the meeting, Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines handed over the Presidency to the Pakistani Federation of Commerce and Industry Chambers.