Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Türkiye’s future will rise with the minds, labor, and hearts of women, saying, “It is a great honor for me to walk the same path with you. Together, we will build a more prosperous and stronger Türkiye with women who produce, empower, and transform. And in Türkiye’s development story, women entrepreneurs will no longer play a supporting role, but a leading role.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB began publishing statistics on women and young entrepreneurs in January 2026, adding that according to January statistics, women entrepreneurs accounted for approximately 20 percent of newly established corporations and limited liability companies. “The figures are certainly not sufficient, but they are promising. Hopefully, together we will raise this number even higher,” he said.

Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that the Women Entrepreneurs Council has become not only Türkiye’s but also Europe’s largest women’s entrepreneurial movement, adding, “This success is the result of our collective efforts. You are actively working in the field. You are working with great dedication to increase the visibility of women’s entrepreneurship and create new opportunities. You are strengthening Türkiye’s culture and ecosystem of women’s entrepreneurship. With your projects, you are touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and changing their lives.”

Speaking about the projects implemented by the Women Entrepreneurs Council, the President of TOBB stated: “Under the leadership of President Nurten, you have launched the Our Clean Business project, which has reached 504,000 people in 81 provinces, effectively carrying out a nationwide hygiene campaign. With the Rising Brands Türkiye project, you are supporting the branding journeys of our women entrepreneurs operating in the fashion, textile, design, cosmetics, and food sectors. With the Women’s Hand in Industry project, you are providing employment to more than 40,000 women in 44 provinces. You are expanding this initiative, which you started in industry, to include the agriculture, construction, technology, and tourism sectors, spreading it to all 81 provinces. With the Life Made Easy Digitally Project, you reached 15,000 women through training and workshops in 2025. You provided 2 million lira in grant support to 20 women entrepreneurs. With the Women Writing the Future Project, you have enabled women to actively participate in the digital environment. You have also established contact with almost all universities and organized joint programs, panels, and workshops. You have pioneered the establishment of Women Entrepreneurs Clubs in many provinces. You represent us through our Provincial Chairpersons in the Women’s Empowerment Coordination Board in all 81 provinces.

We brought you into the global arena. I established women entrepreneurs’ committees at the World Chambers Federation (WCF), where I was elected president, at Eurochambers, where I served as vice president, at the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and at the Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In this way, we ensured that you could actively participate in international networks.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that women’s entrepreneurship in Türkiye is no longer just an idea but a powerful movement, and that women entrepreneurs are the pioneers of this movement.

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that if the number of women entrepreneurs increases in a country, that country’s economy grows, its society strengthens, and its future becomes more secure.

- Women should also have a strong presence at decision-making tables.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they were pleased to see the results of the steps taken to increase women’s representation in the business world in the previous chamber-exchange elections, saying, “In 2008, there was only one woman board chair and assembly chair, but this number has risen to nine. The number of women board members has increased from nine to 56. The number of women assembly members reached 334 from 93. I hope to see more of my fellow women entrepreneurs in the assemblies and management of chambers and stock exchanges in the elections to be held in October and November. If women make up half of Türkiye’s economy, they should also have a strong presence at the decision-making tables. That is why we want to see you not only as entrepreneurs but also as leaders.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, expressing his belief that as women’s participation in economic life increases, so will prosperity, continued: “Women entrepreneurs are the most beautiful face of Türkiye’s productive power, innovation, and courage. You are not only growing your own businesses. You are also inspiring women around you, making them say, ‘I can do it too.’ Each of you is a pioneer in shaping the future of this country. The Women Entrepreneurs Council is making a powerful impact across our country to empower women in economic life. As a result, women’s entrepreneurship is becoming a driving force for development not only in big cities but also locally. With your projects, the culture of entrepreneurship is spreading. New horizons are opening up for women in many sectors, especially in digitalization and e-commerce. In this sense, every step you take contributes to our country’s development story. We expect you to grow this belief even further. Wherever you are, reach out to other women and show them the way.

I wish you a happy International Women’s Day once again. I would like to congratulate you in advance on Qadr Night and Ramadan Holidays. Finally, I would like to say that women entrepreneurs don’t just start businesses, they build the future. Women entrepreneurs don’t just produce, they transform society. If there are strong women entrepreneurs, there is a stronger Türkiye. I would like to end my speech with our organization’s beautiful slogan: “If there are women, there is a tomorrow.”

- TOBB KGK President Nurten Öztürk

TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council President Nurten Öztürk also stated that the world is going through a difficult period, saying, “Unfortunately, the war raging right next to us and global uncertainties are dampening everyone’s spirits. But we know this very well: Throughout history, women and children have always been the most affected by wars, disasters, and crises. That is precisely why we women must stand stronger than ever. The world may be in turmoil, but our light must not be extinguished. We will not give in to negativity and pessimism. You are beacons in your provinces; you are not only establishing your own businesses, but also lighting the way for other women with that light.”

Öztürk explained that they have carried out many projects such as Women’s Hand in Industry, Women’s Hand in Agriculture, Women’s Hand in Tourism, Women’s Hand in Technology, and Rising Brands, saying, “My esteemed Provincial Chairpersons, you have grown these projects without expecting any sponsorship support, entirely with your own faith and resources, and spread them across Türkiye. This is the most concrete proof of what women in Türkiye can achieve. I thank each and every one of you individually.”

Öztürk said that they are building the future through the strong ties they have established with universities and vocational high schools, mentoring young girls, providing them with role models, and instilling in them the idea that entrepreneurship is a career option.

Emphasizing that Türkiye’s Entrepreneurial Women’s Power Competition proves the true potential of women in the business world to all of Türkiye, Nurten Öztürk said, “This competition is not just an award ceremony; it is a source of pride where we showcase our fastest-growing, most innovative women-owned companies that create the most employment.”

Öztürk stated that they were proud to be the only civil society organization represented on the Women’s Empowerment Coordination Board, adding, “This circular imposes strategic tasks and pioneering responsibilities on our institution. In this process, which we are carrying out in coordination with the Ministry of Family and Social Services, it is of great importance for us to achieve our goals that you closely follow developments in your provinces and actively participate in the committee meetings.”