Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that he was unable to attend the event in Mardin, a place he had very much wanted to visit, due to adverse weather conditions.

Noting that Mardin, with its rich civilization and culture, has for centuries exemplified the finest example of living together in peace and tolerance, Hisarcıklıoğlu highlighted that the city, located on the historic Silk Road, has historically served as a hub for trade between the East and the West.

Noting that Mardin remains a strategic hub for the region today due to its economic potential and geopolitical location, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “There are currently two industrial zones in Mardin. Another one is currently being built to meet the growing demand from investors. Our Mardin is not only a city of the past but also of the future. It is a symbol of labor, abundance, and hard work in the Mesopotamian Plain, known as the ‘Fertile Crescent.’“

Recalling that they had modernized the Nusaybin Border Gate in the past in response to requests from Mardin, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated: “We had modernized the Nusaybin Border Gate. If the Syrian side requests it, we are ready to do the same on their side. As long as the Syrian side is ready for this, it will enable us to reach the Syrian, Iraqi, and Middle Eastern markets more quickly and easily. The Nusaybin Border Gate will boost trade and bring wealth and prosperity to the region. We have a motto: There is no trade without peace, and there is no wealth without trade. These are all part of a whole.”

Mardin Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Hatip Çelik also noted that significant developments have taken place in agriculture and industry in Mardin in recent years, and that export figures have reached approximately $1.17 billion—the highest levels in recent years. Çelik emphasized that the opening of the Nusaybin Border Gate holds great importance for the region.