Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, TOBB Vice Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu stated that all domestic, foreign; small and large companies are members of TOBB and said: “Therefore, we are actively working not only at home but also abroad. We manage all the business organizations between the Atlantic and the Pacific. We are also observers at the Latin American CCI. So we have established networks all over the world. In this way, we support our entrepreneurs in the process of opening up to the outside and ensure that our enterprises engage in exports and global investments.”

Zeytinoğlu said that they are working so that the Turkish business world benefits from the EU process in the best way possible and that they have implemented projects that will enable companies to integrate with the EU.

Emphasizing that it is easier and faster to grow for companies of countries which are part of global value chains, Ayhan Zeytinoğlu said, “At the beginning of this century, Turkey showed a concrete example of this. With the influence of the EU, Turkey has become the most powerful industrial nations of this region. It has become the highest industrial production country.”

Drawing attention to the fact that Turkey has become Europe's main supplier of goods in many sectors including automotive, home appliances and apparel, Zeytinoğlu said, “In fact, at the moment, excepting intra-union trade, the EU imports the most cars from Turkey. Joining Customs Union in 1996 has been a move in the positive direction for Turkey. It has ensured that many industrial sectors and our companies progress. On the other hand, another issue that we attach importance to is trade. Because trade enriches and protectionism impairs. Especially for the stability and prosperity of developing countries, trade must be more free. We emphasize this on every global platform. Turkey's economic relations with the West often operate according to the rules of free trade. There are exceptions, of course. Our relations with Eastern countries such as Iran and Russia, are shaped by the political relations between Ankara and Moscow or Tehran. So politics affects trade. Our trade with the East does not develop according to the principles of free trade. Political considerations constantly prevent economic considerations. This is not a very desirable situation. Therefore, one thing we should always demand is free trade. It is very important to remove the obstacles to the free interaction of economic actors.”

Ayhan Zeytinoğlu stated that the world is on the verge of a new era and that the carbon-based growth period of the last century has ended with the new technologies.

- Easy growth period is over

Stating that this period of change can reveal opportunities for Turkey but also harbors risks, Zeytinoğlu emphasized that the period of easy growth triggered by low interest rates, based on the high credit flows is over and that developing countries like Turkey focus on a new and different growth process based on increased productivity and innovation.

- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Faruk Kaymakçı

Deputy Foreign Minister Faruk Kaymakçı stated that they have discussed what Turkey's foreign trade strategy in the face of global development and tribulations should be during the morning session

Kaymakçı stated that TOBB has very strong ties with the east and said “Turkic Chamber of Commerce was established last week. This is a great chamber of commerce to cover Turkic geography.”

He said that they will always stand with the chambers of commerce, embassies and consulates, and that they will fight for the Customs Union.

Kaymakçı said that they will be able to take important steps with the reform action board meeting on visa liberalization on August 20^th which will pave the way for both Turkish business people and citizens.