Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Pointing out the problems such as increasing inequality between countries, expanding welfare to the base, environmental production Kopuz said “Now we are on the eve of a new era. We are in a period where global economy and political equilibrium have changed. We are experiencing the distress of this change. We must make this change count and we need to learn from our previous mistakes. Those who decently make out the change and shape the transformation shall be winner of the future.”

Stating that during the upcoming period four fields would be the key for development, Ali Kopuz named those four fields as energy, food, capital and technology. Telling about that they are obliged to establish a more fair system, TOBB Vice President Ali Kopuz also told that both base of economic and political crisis result from that.

-Trade is the key to development

Telling that trade being the key to development Kopuz talked as follows: “Trade is the key to expanding wealth to the base, it is the key to peace. Solution for many political conflicts is also trade. There is saying; first trade, then trade. Here, the example for that is right next to us. European geography staged wars with one another for 400 years, produced two major world wars has started the longest conflict-free period of its all-time by the help of trading partnership. European Union project is the result of this trading partnership. Therefore to be able to reduce the problems as experienced during the previous century three obstacles need to be removed during the upcoming period: Obstacles to global trade should be removed. Obstacles to technology and information transfer should be removed. Obstacles to free movement of people must be reduced regardless.

We should always remember this: Protectionism regardless where it is based on do harm more than good. We, as a nation see that by experiencing. We adopted protectionist policies until 80s. After dropping out protectionism and headed for competition we carried our country to the level of a country with a capability of nearly 150 billion dollars exportation whereas same country achieved only 3 billion dollars of exportation in 35 years. We become the major industrial power within the region between Italy and China.

How did we manage that? Two keys: Competition and entrepreneurism. I personally believe that these two elements shall be shaping the upcoming period. Therefore I believe that this event accordingly shall be a significant guiding light.”

-Luncheon and Acknowledgment 

TOBB Vice President Ali Kopuz delivered a speech also at the luncheon organised within 8^th Boğaziçi Summit. Stating that they had successful summit, Kopuz thanked to the participants and contributors. Underlining the importance of consultation Ali Kopuz said “Consultation is productiveness. Consultation comes first before starting a task, taking the road. The road taken followed by a consultation shall lead you the right place. Especially during this period where the global change difficulties are being experienced consultation is now important than ever. In this sense Boğaziçi summit is very important consultation mechanism where global and regional course of actions are being determined. I believe that all the discussions herein shall be significant guiding light.”

Kopuz, while telling that the importance of United Nations Sustainable Development Objectives for globalisation, he also told about private sector’s role in carrying those objectives into effect. Ali Kopuz stated “I believe we shall proceed faster with the shared wisdom of private sector, universities and public.”