Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Attending the meeting in which all chambers and exchanges declared their support for Hisarcıklıoğlu were, İstanbul Chamber of Commerce Board President İbrahim Çağlar, Gaziantep Chamber of Industry Board President Adil Konukoğlu, Adana Chamber of Industry Board President Zeki Kıvanç, Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board President İbrahim Burkay, Kütahya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board President Nafi Güral, Konya Chamber of Commerce Board President Selçuk Öztürk and Samsun Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board President Salih Zeki Murzioğlu.

- Joint declaration of the regions

İstanbul Chamber of Commerce President İbrahim Çağlar said that they are holding a meeting in order to announce the decisions of the 7 regions as representatives of the chambers and exchanges of in all regions of Turkey. Stating that they as the İstanbul Chamber of Commerce, İstanbul Chamber of Industry, İstanbul Commodity Exchange and Chamber of Maritime Trade, have decided to support Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu at the TOBB General Assembly, Çağlar said, “We believe that Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu, who has admirably represented us both domestically and internationally, will continue to do so in the coming term and therefore we support him.”

- Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions

Gaziantep Chamber of Industry Board President Adil Konukoğlu stated that Turkey has come a long way in the last 11 years and that all chambers and exchanges have contributed to this success. Stating that the private sector has grown by 73% during this period, 5 million people have found employment, exports have increased 4 times and Turkey has become the world’s 16th largest economy, Konukoğlu emphasized that Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu has contributed greatly during this time. Stating that Hisarcıklıoğlu has visited every chamber and exchange in Turkey, convincing them in regards to Turkey’s 2023 goals, Adil Konukoğlu declared that they wish to work with Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu again in the coming term.

- The Black Sea Region

Samsun Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board President Salih Zeki Murzioğlu stated that they have come to the meeting to report support from the entire Black Sea region, emphasizing that they want Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu to be a candidate again. Stating that a great part of the world has come to take TOBB as an example, Murzioğlu said that vision in foreign economic relations will carry Turkey to the top.

- Central Anatolia Region

Konya Chamber of Industry Board President Selçuk Öztürk, announcing Central Anatolia’s support for Hisarcıklıoğlu, underlined the fact that the 62 chambers and exchanges in the region have expressed support for Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu to hold office for another term. Explaining that the support for Hisarcıklıoğlu is a result of the contributions he’s made to the Turkish private sector during his terms in office, Öztürk said, “Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu’s efforts and works have more than satisfied us.”

- Aegean Region

Kütahya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board President Nafi Güral pointed out the importance of economy in a country’s development and said in regards to Hisarcıklıoğlu, “We admire him in that the mirror of a person is his work, words are unimportant. As the Aegean Region, we unanimously support Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu’s candidacy.” Nafi Güral reminded that he has acted as delegate twice during Fuat Miras’ terms and twice in Hisarcıklıoğlu’s terms.

- The Marmara Region

Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board President İbrahim Burkay stated that he brings word on behalf of the Marmara Region, expressing support for Hisarcıklıoğlu. He stated that they have reviewed the transformation period of Turkey in the last 15 years and that the consensus is shared by their region as well. Burkay said that the duties taken on by TOBB are admired by chambers and drew attention to the fact that Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu staying in office is a wish shared by all.

- The Mediterranean Region

Adana Chamber of Industry Board President Zeki Kıvanç pointed out that all chambers and exchanges of the region support Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu’s candidacy. Kıvanç, stating that this support has been shown with signatures, said, “On behalf of the whole region, our support for Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu is full.”

- Petitions handed over to the General Assembly President Osman yıldırım

Petitions declaring support for Hisarcıklıoğlu from the 365 chamber and exchange presidents in 7 regions and demanding that he be reelected TOBB President were handed over to the TOBB General Assembly President Osman Yıldırım at the end of the meeting. Yıldırım stated that he would care for the petitions with the utmost attention until the General Assembly and said that he believed that the TOBB General Assembly would be a milestone for both the community and the private sector. Emphasizing that they will succeed through unity and solidarity, Yıldırım said that Anatolia would rise.