Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB/DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu touched on the importance of the business forum during his speech and stated that he believes the results will be significant.

Emphasizing that they put great importance on Italy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We believe that Italy will become one of Europe’s largest driving forces and that Italy will begin a new period of growth; we are making our preparations with this in mind. The most concrete evidence of this is the increased amount of investments from our companies to Italy.”

Stating that the increasing cooperation between Turkey and Italy promises great gains for both sides, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Those who invest in Turkey during this period will profit greatly. Turkey and the Turkish private sector will continue to grow. We weathered a much worse crisis in 2001 than Europe did and moved past it in a short period, as little as a year.”

Providing information regarding Turkey’s economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that they have achieved 67% growth in the economy since the 2001 crisis, exports by 320% and provided an additional 7.5 million people with employment – all in an environment of global crisis.

Drawing attention to the fact that only 1% of Italian investments are made into Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they want to see much more Italian investments in order to profit more.

Stating that investments made into Turkey are in fact investments made into all of Central Asia and the Middle East, Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “Turkey, in this regard, is an economic hub. The greatest companies of the world are directing their Central Asia and Middle East operations from Turkey. Many countries form partnerships with us to do business in those regions. We know this region like the backs of our hands. We know who to do business with; we know which investments will bring in profit. We procure the industrial goods of the region and these goods are transported via our vehicles.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they wish to increase bilateral trade with Italy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It saddens me to report that despite Turkey’s growth, Italy’s share continues to decrease. The numbers increase but ratios fall. In 2001, we conducted 8% of our trade with Italy. Today, Italy’s share has dropped below 5%. We want to increase this again.”

Explaining that protective policies harm economy instead of helping it, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that companies are losing competitive power due to protective policies, the economy is losing momentum and growth speed is decreasing.

Stating that companies are faced with various difficulties, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Trucks carrying Turkish goods are up against transit quota obstacles. We face these problems both when trading with Italy as well as with transit passages. On the other hand, Italian companies can easily enter bids in our country while our companies face difficulties with just applying to bid.

Turkish companies will bring dynamism and profit to Italy. So open the way for us, let us profit and while doing so profit Italy as well. We are eagerly waiting for our businessmen to be presented with solution to these problems.”

Expressing his gratitude for Italy’s support in Turkey’s full EU membership process, Hisarcıklıoğlu went on: “We would like to remind the Italian government, which will take up EU Term Presidency during the second half of 2014, of the sensitive matter of visas.

Turkish citizens and businessmen are, contrary to the spirit of the Customs Union, are subject to visa procedures while visiting European countries.

After arduous struggles, we have finally signed the agreement which will lift visas in three years. At the end of these 3 years, we hope that the support you’ve provided Turkey will continue in order to completely lift visas.

Lastly we request you support for the inclusion of Turkey in the ongoing negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) between the EU and the USA.

Having Turkey be party to this agreement, which will reshape the rules of global trade, will ensure that trade and investment relations between our countries will rise even further.”

- President Abdullah Gül

President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül expressed his pleasure in attending the meeting, “I would like to thank the representatives of the Turkish and Italian business communities who have organized this Forum. I am here on a state visit on the invitation of President Napolitano. In 2009, he accepted my invitation to visit Turkey resulting in a very successful visit. Four years later, we have taken the visit beyond a mere state visit. We have been treated to Mediterranean hospitality from the moment we stepped off the plane.”

Stating that despite success in political relations between the two countries, the economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries need to be improved, President Gül invited Italian business community to take advantage of the opportunities in Turkey.

In closing, President Gül expressed hi well wishes and stated that the economies of both countries would grow as the private sectors grow.

- Deputy Prime Minister Babacan

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan stated that the two countries are friends and allies, forming a partnership around shared values and ideals; working together in such platforms as NATO, the European Council and G20.

Drawing attention to the fact that Italy has staunchly supported Turkey’s bid to enter the EU, Babacan stated that intergovernmental summits, Turkish-Italian Forum, Turkish-Italian Media Forum and similar organizations have positively impacted the relations between the two countries.

Stating the need to focus on SMEs as a result of the characteristics of both economies, Babacan reported that, as the government, they try not to get in the way of business and that they aim to remove all obstacles.

Providing information in regards to the status of the Turkish economy, Babacan stated that there has been a great transformation within the last ten years.

- Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Bonino

Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Emma Bonino stating that they have been friends with President Gül since his days as State Minister, said, “I hope that your visit has been satisfactory.”

Praising the robustness of the relationship between Turkey and Italy, Bonino went on to state that Italy ivews Turkey’s membership in the EU favorably and stressed the need to give momentum to present relations, saying that Turkey is the EU’s largest trading partner despite not being a member of the EU.

Bonino invited Turkish entrepreneurs to EXPO 2015, stating that it would broaden their horizons.