Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, received the first Mediterranean Leadership Award by the John Hopkins University, one of the prominent universities of the USA. As a result of the research and evaluations undertaken by the John Hopkins University, in addition to TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, the former President of Libya Mohomed Yousef Almagariaf, US Senator Jeanne Shaheen and US Congressman Robert Aderholt also received Mediterranean Leadership Awards.

The university stated that the Mediterranean Leadership Awards are given in recognition of contributions to the advancement of stability, economic cooperation and democratization process in Southeast Europe. The Mediterranean Leadership Award is awarded by the John Hopkins University SAIS (School of Advanced and International Studies) in cooperation with Trans-Atlantic Relations Center and the American Bosnian Foundation.

- Project with the Islamic Development Bank

Stating that he is honored to receive this award, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “On behalf of my country, TOBB and the Turkish business community, it is with great pride that I accept this award. We are gratified that our works as a country and as the Turkish business community are appreciated.”

The TOBB President stated that they have undertaken many projects with the Islamic Development Bank and many other international institutions and reported, “The era which began with the tearing down of the Berlin wall brought with it new opportunities and responsibilities for Turkey. First of all, we had to integrate our economy to the global economy in order to have our people prosper. With the economic crisis of 2001, the worst in our history, we found opportunity to advance the economic transformation process started by the late Özal along with political stability. We had to grow the economy. We had to embrace our cultural heritage in North Africa, the Middle East, Caucasia and Central Asia. TOBB has taken on the mission of carrying forward the foreign policy adopted by our government. In addition to being an example for their transformation processes, we have begun to actively contribute with investments, trade and transfer of know-how.”

- TOBB shared its experiences

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that they have successfully completed projects in Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria and Romania. Drawing attention to significant projects such as opening the way for the private sector, the development of the chamber system and the transfer of their industrial zone experience, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have and will continue to work with many international institutions in the Middle East and Northern Africa such as the EU, OECD and the Islamic Development Bank.

Stating that the government wants to solidify peace, stability and prosperity in the region, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that they are providing support as the business world in this regard and that they are working to provide new opportunities for the business world.

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Taking into account the projects we’ve enacted until today, this award has been presented to us. Truthfully, the reasons for this award overlap completely with what we have been trying to do. Our contributions to stability, economic cooperation and the advancement of the process of democratization in Southeastern Europe have been deemed worthy of award. I have accepted the award on behalf of Turkey, TOBB and the business community.”