Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We’ve seen all kinds of promises on the political stage. We’ve seen what happens afterwards too. However, the Prime Minister has almost fulfilled all of their promises following the election.”​

Speaking at the TOBB Commodity Exchanges Council Meeting, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the value of agriculture will only become apparent once it is absent, “If we do not take precautions, if we import every product just because it is cheaper to do so we will become dependent to the outside. This would threaten our food security. Then is that what we should do today when, importing is cheaper? Of course not, we must recognize the reality of this region and appreciate our millennia old cultural values and seek to increase the productivity of farming, to implement a better system. Let us turn agriculture into a profitable endeavor. Let us instill in it economic discipline. Let us introduce terms like cost, competition, productivity, profit and scale into this agriculture.”​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the R&D Reform Package which became law last week will provide great support for Turkey’s technological leap, “This package is an important step in transitioning from talking about innovation to innovating.”​

Following the terror attack which took place in Ankara on the 17th of February, cancelling his trip for the opening of the TOBB Brussels Service Building and the Turkey EU Chamber and Exchanges Forum, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, along with TESK Director Bendevi Palandöken, HAK-İŞ General Director Mahmut Arslan, TİSK Secretary General Bülent Pirler and Türkiye Kamu-sen Secretary General Mehmet Özer, visited Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces Hulusi Akar to extend their condolences. ​

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu issued a press release regarding the terror attack which took place in Ankara, fiercely condemning those who perpetrated the heinous act as well as those who view terrorism as an acceptable course of action. Stating that the attack is aimed at the unity and solidarity of the country, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We will stand against these atrocities and vile attacks. Consciences will never forgive those who hope to benefit from these inhuman attacks.”​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the Science and Technology High Council meeting presided over by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, during his speech at the Stars of Dinar award ceremony held by the Dinar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that if we want better service then we must not fail to properly appreciate and applaud work well done.​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu visited the Burdur Commodity Exchange along with Burdur Governor Hasan Kürklü.​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the Contributors to Burdur Joint Award Ceremony, stating that every company in Burdur is a star and deserving of a medal.​

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University awarded TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu with an honorary doctorate for his contributions to the institutional capacity improvements of chambers and exchanges, promotion of Turkey abroad as well as his support for vocational training.​