Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Turgut Konukoğlu was elected as the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Young Entrepreneurs Council (GGK). In 2009, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Ali Sabancı, who has been the President of TOBB GGK since then, for his efforts and congratulated Konukoğlu on his new position. “If entrepreneurship in Türkiye has started to be talked about so much, if so much development has been achieved, the biggest role in this is played by our TOBB Women and Young Entrepreneurs Councils,” he said.

TOBB GGK Regional Representatives meeting was held at TOBB Twin Towers with the participation of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu made a statement regarding the meeting and the presidential election: “As TOBB, we always prioritize entrepreneurship and see supporting entrepreneurs as one of our most important priorities. Ali Sabancı has been one of the biggest supporters of our Council since 2009. With his vision, leadership and inspiring personality, he has changed the perspective of thousands of young entrepreneurs on entrepreneurship. I believe that he will not leave our Council alone in the coming period. I hope that we will continue to move forward with firm steps into the future with the strength we have taken from the past. I believe that our new President Turgut Konukoğlu will make great contributions to us in the coming period with his dynamism and vision. I congratulate him and wish him success.”

-  More entrepreneurs, more prosperity

Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “We need more entrepreneurs, more innovative ideas and a stronger ecosystem for Türkiye’s development, strengthening in global competition and increasing the level of prosperity. Young entrepreneurs constitute the most dynamic power of the business world with their innovative ideas, energy and courage. While supporting economic growth, the entrepreneurial spirit is also the biggest driver of social change. Therefore, supporting young entrepreneurs means strengthening not only their individual success, but also sustainable development and social welfare.”

- Ali Sabancı handed over to Turgut Konukoğlu

Turgut Konukoğlu, on the other hand, said that they will continue to keep entrepreneurship on the agenda of the country and to encourage it with all their strength.

Konukoğlu emphasized the importance of increasing the number of entrepreneurs in our country and said that the TOBB Young Entrepreneurs Council serves an important function in this sense. Turgut Konukoğlu said, “Together, we will shape the future with innovative projects and we will strive for the success of everyone who contributes to this journey. Our goal is to make the ecosystem stronger, sustainable and accessible.”

Ali Sabancı, who took over the duty, wished Konukoğlu success and said that he was ready to share his experiences. Stating that 16 years ago, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu created entrepreneurial Councils to encourage young people and women to entrepreneurship and to increase the number of entrepreneurs, Sabancı expressed his joy to see that their efforts have yielded fruit. Ali Sabancı said, “Let’s give young people the courage to try. We want to pave the way for entrepreneurship.”

- Who is Turgut Konukoğlu?

Born in Gaziantep, Turgut Konukoğlu is a Board Member of Sanko Holding and Sanko Enerji. After completing his undergraduate education at Yeditepe University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of International Trade and Business Administration, he completed the Leadership Training Program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Prior to joining the Board of Directors of SANKO Energy Group, he served as Business Development Director, Sales Group President, Deputy General Manager, Energy Group Vice President and CEO.