Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University 2015-2016 Social Enterprise Symposium and addressed students at the “Why Entrepreneurship?” Panel.

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Muğla is among Turkey’s top 10 cities on the socioeconomic development index and inhabitability index – a performance which improves steadily.

Stating that the underlying reason for this is unity and solidarity, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have a beautiful saying: Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent. If there is unity and solidarity in a city, there is prosperity.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Muğla has the longest shore among provinces, “This is longer than Spain’s total shore length to the Mediterranean. With a rich historical and cultural heritage, you host 3 million tourists each year. We have a lot more work in front of us.”

- Our greatest resource is the youth

Drawing attention to the fact that youth is the greatest capital we have the TOBB President said, “The average age in Turkey is 30. We have the youngest population in Europe. The young population stands at 20 million. If we are able to make good use of this, we can bring prosperity to Turkey. Turkey has no petroleum or natural gas. Even so, we are among the top 20 economies of the world. We did not achieve this through foreign aid or natural resources. This was achieved through the hard work, production and exports of our enterprising people. It is up to you to preserve this performance. You are the real source of our power. Our greatest asset is the youth present in this hall.”

- Entrepreneurship is seeing opportunity

Speaking on the matter of entrepreneurship, the TOBB President said, “Entrepreneurship is seeing the statue hidden in a block of marble. That means seeing opportunities. Entrepreneurship is not a talent. If you were to ask me what the foundation of entrepreneurship, I would say dreams. Never stop dreaming. That is where you are the freest. You must set yourself a goal to achieve your dream.”

Pointing to Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, Aziz Sancar, Steve Jobs and Nevzat Demir as well as many others as examples , Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the importance of persisting in the face of failure, hard work and taking risks. Stating that youth needs to be encouraged in towards innovation, Hisarcıklıoğlu urged the students to focus on innovation.

After the panel Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Prof. Mansur Harmandar presented TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu with an honorary doctorate. Attending the ceremony were TOBB Board Members, Muğla Governor Amir Çiçek, Muğla Mayor Osman Gürün, GEKA Secretary General Süleyman Alata, regional chamber/exchange presidents and students.