Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that the trade volume between Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is 8 billion USD. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB, with its 1.5 million members is organized thoroughly throughout Turkey.

Reporting that encouraging entrepreneurship has been at the top of their agenda for a long time, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have formed the largest women’s and youth entrepreneurship networks of Turkey to this end.

Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the fact that the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) is the first and only think-tank founded in Turkey focusing on economic policy, “We provide significant support to Turkey’s integration to the global arena. Our efforts to encourage establishments towards foreign trade and investment are ongoing.”

- “Our economy has been growing for the last 6 years”

Pointing out that the world has been undergoing an economic and political change since the 2008 economic crisis, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey has been moving with the western world while remaining true to its region’s reality.

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Turkey’s economy has been growing despite the politically turbulent year of 2015 and said:

“Our economy has been growing for the last 6 years. The 4% growth we achieved in 2015 made us the fastest growing country in Europe. Last year, we provided jobs to 690,000 new people. We drew in 17 billion USD in direct foreign investment. The current deficits ratio to national income is around 1%. We are the only private sector who could achieve all this while the world and the region surrounding us is in deep upheaval. We are optimistic. Conjectural developments support our optimism.”

- “ASEAN is expected to become the fourth largest economy”

Stating that ASEAN has contributed significantly to the economies of the region’s countries since its founding, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“It is expected that ASEAN, if considered a single economy, will be the 4^th largest economy in the world by 2050. Between just 2007 and 2014, ASEAN increased its total trade by 1 trillion USD, a great success. Taking into account the tumultuous state of the neighboring Middle East, ASEAN’s vision demands acknowledgement.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that, in addition to the stability it has brought to the region, ASEAN also provides an important environment for financial growth; that the union is providing stability and unified business environment for the whole Asia Pacific region, not just its member countries.

In addition to the powerhouses of the region such as China, Japan, India and South Korea, the EU, the USA and Russia are also participating in the platform. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they support Turkey’s endeavors to cultivate its relations with ASEAN. To this end, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed to the importance of signing a Friendship and Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and ASEAN; that positive developments on the political front will be supported by positive developments in the trade and economy front.

Stressing the importance of closer relations, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Our approximate trade volume of 8 billion USD is suitable for more growth. We have the opportunity to develop our relations to a higher level and the will to do so. Let’s start a program to this end. Our experts can organize a roadshow for it. Let’s put this into action as soon as possible.”

- “The meeting is very important for ASEAN’s promotion”

ASEAN Ankara Committee Chair and Vietnam’s Ambassador to Ankara Pham Anh Tuan stated that they have been waiting for this meeting with anticipation for the last year and said, “This meeting is very important in regards to better introducing ASEAN to Turkish participants, not just furthering bilateral cooperation.”

Following the speeches, Hisarcıklıoğlu presented Pham Anh Tuan with a plaque.