Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

As part of the President of Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gül's state visit to Sweden, a meeting was held in Stockholm with the attendance of the President of Turkish Entrepreneurs Residing in Europe, TOBB/DEİK and DTİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.

Speaking at the meeting attended by 150 Turkish entrepreneurs, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that their delegation was the largest foreign delegation to date to visit Sweden. Stating that the largest crisis of the last century has been ongoing since 2008, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that Sweden has been one of the countries to be the least affected by the crisis.

- Success of the Turkish private sector

Reporting that despite economic crisis to its West and political instability to its East, Turkey has managed to be the third fastest growing country in the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that this was the success of the Turkish private sector and emphasized that the Turkish private sector, turning the crisis into opportunity, has undertaken to invest 141 million USD and create 5 million new jobs.

"We are proud of the 4,000 Turkish entrepreneurs in Sweden, however, Sweden share of imports from us is only 0.7%," said Hisarcıklıoğlu, drawing attention to the miniscule amount. Introducing the Turkish entrepreneurs residing in Sweden to DTİK, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the importance of organizing Turkish citizens living abroad. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "Unity brings prosperity and grace; dissent brings anguish," and reported that thanks to the efforts of DTİK, Turkish citizens living abroad have been begun to unite.

TOBB/DEİK and DTİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that, through the suggestion of TOBB in 2009, the World Turkish Entrepreneurs Council was held and the Business Council established. Urging Turkish entrepreneurs residing in Sweden to become members of DTİK, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "We must stand under a single roof to support each other." Stating that being a DTİK member gives access to the whole world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that cooperation opportunities to sell goods to 90 countries are available through the DTİK web portal. He drew attention to the fact that DTİK provides opportunities to trade with the whole world.

Reporting that soon, there will be a DTİK representative present in every city where Turks live, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that they need to be citizens of the countries they live in as well as the need to learn the native language of the country while retaining their Turkish language. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "Only this way can we be effective and strong."

- DTİK European Region Committee Torunoğulları

DTİK European Region Committee Turgut Torunoğulları focused on the problems and the demands of the Turkish entrepreneurs residing in Europe and stated that efforts need to be made in the areas of citizenship rights, visa obstacles, voting rights and education equality if the new generation of Turkish youth are to have better opportunities.