Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

European Union (EU) Turkey Delegation Chairman Ambassador Hansjörg Haber attended the meeting with chamber presidents hosted by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.​

Speaking at the Sustainable Land Management Business Forum organized as a part of UN Convention to Combat Desertification, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that 4 billion hectares worldwide are in danger of desertification and stated that this is threatening 1.2 billion people with famine and drought. Hisarcıklıoğlu urged the whole world to support the fight against desertification together.​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at the opening of the middle school built by the Iğdır Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the county of Aralık, stressed the fact that Iğdır borders on three countries, pointing out the huge market volume this offers.​

Modernized by the Customs and Tourism Enterprises Co. Inc., the Dilucu Customs Gate was opened to service with the attendance of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, the Minister for Customs and Commerce Cenap Aşçı and the former Minister for Customs and Commerce Hayati Yazıcı.​

In Kars for the opening of the Çıldır Aktaş Customs Gate, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu visited Kars Governor Günay Özdemir.​

In his speech during the opening of the Çıldır Aktaş Customs Gate modernized by the Customs and Tourism Enterprises Co. Inc., TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We’re not opening a customs gate today. Today, we are opening the gate to prosperity. In the past, this region was the richest in the world. That was because trade routes passed through here. The rule is simple: If there is trade, there is money. If there is money, there is prosperity. We have a grand dream. We dream of shifting the trade routes back to this region. That is what we are doing now.”​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, along with a delegation of civil society organizations, profession organizations and syndicate chairpersons, left carnations in front of the Ankara Train station in remembrance of the victims of the terror attack in Democracy Square which resulted in the death and injury of many people.​

TOBB has been unanimously elected as “permanent vice president” by the Union of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES). A revolutionary decision, this is hailed as a great success for a non-EU member to achieve.​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu urged combating protectionism.​

EUROCHAMBRES Global Chambers Platform (GCP) meeting was held in Luxembourg. EUROCHAMBRES Vice President, B20 Turkey Chair and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu provided information regarding B20 Turkey’s endeavors and the suggestions which have been prepared to be presented to the G20.​