Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that they are celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the ICC this year, “Over the past 100 years, the ICC has managed to bring private sector representatives from different countries under one roof. It has become a reference institution working to increase global trade and remove barriers to trade. It currently represents more than 45 million companies and more than 1 billion employees in more than 100 countries. In other words, 1 out of every 3 employees in the world is employed in ICC member firms. The ICC is the place around the world where the rules of global trade are set. It is the only business organization in the United Nations that has gained observer status. It coordinates the private sectors of all countries under the World Trade Organization and works to ensure a freer and fairer trade environment. The ICC Turkey National Committee, which operates under TOBB, has also become one of the most effective organizations of the ICC.”

- Changes to INCOTERMS rules must be learned

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the ICC entered its second century with the vision of ‘business, working for everyone, every day and everywhere,’ and that the INCOTERMS rules, which are important parts of this vision, have been updated.

ICC INCOTERMS rules, one of the most important and comprehensive work of the International Chamber of Commerce Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that the rules of international trade are laid out, exporters and importers' rights and obligations are determined.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This is a very important issue for the business world. Because of these rules, disputes are resolved and global trade becomes easier to do. Now, in this new system, new forms of delivery are being made available. Insurance guarantees such as CNI (Cost and Insurance), which includes the cost of goods and insurance, are increased. Existing forms of delivery are made simpler, clearer and more user-friendly. As business organizations, our task is to ensure that our companies learn and adapt to them in the best way possible. Here, now, with this conference, we are starting to present the renewed Incoterms 2020, to our country’s business world. Afterwards, we will organize Incoterms trainings in various provinces. All these training activities will be carried out by accredited instructors. Prof. Dr. Ercüment Erdem, Chairman of the ICC Commercial Law Commission and Member of the Incoterms 2020 Workgroup, has undertaken this important work.”

- Slowdown in the global economy

Pointing to the slowing global economy, the TOBB President noted that the World Trade Organization, at the beginning of this year, predicted a global trade growth of 4%, “Now he's pulled that estimate to 1.2%. Exports of the top 50 largest countries decreased by 3% in the first 9 months. In contrast, our exports increased by 3%. When we look at the ranking of countries in regards to rate of increase in exports, we are globally ranked 7^th. On the other hand, due to the increasing protectionism in the world, Turkey's loss in exports increased from $900 million in 2017 to $7.2 billion in 2018 and $11 billion in 2019. It's likely to go up to $14 billion next year. As the business community, we have always been in favor of fair and free trade. We will continue our work in this direction in the future as well.

And for that, we will know and use the rules in the best way. We need to look at INCOTERMS 2020 from this perspective and learn in the best way.”