Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu addressed entrepreneurs hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, International Entrepreneurship Center and GATE Turkey.

Reciting a Chinese proverb, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “When the wind blows, some build walls and some build windmills.”

Stating that entrepreneurs use “if only” the least, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The Soviets were at the forefront of military and technological advancement prior to their downfall. The Soviets tumbled down without a single bullet fired. The reason for that is the lack of entrepreneurs in their system.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the ethical way to prosperity is achieved through enterprise and that the only way to decrease unemployment is through increasing the number of entrepreneurs.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “60% of those working in Silicon Valley were born outside the USA. The most pressing priority in the world is importing entrepreneurs. We must begin to innovate.”

Stating that most university students in Turkey want to work in Koç Holding and Sabancı Holding, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The real money is in start-ups. My young friends, please, choose to work in start-ups instead of large companies or the public administration. Mothers and fathers; please don’t force your children to work in the government. We need a mental revolution. The most exciting work is in start-ups. It’s impossible to learn to win without losing.”