Mr. M. RİFAT HİSARCIKLIOGLU is the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), which is the largest non-profit business organization in Turkey, covering 365 Chambers and Commodity Exchanges.
TOBB represents the country's 1.3 million companies and acts as the most effective professional organization with a network of members reaching into all scale of businesses from different sectors, great to small in all regions in Turkey.
Married and father of three, M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu was born on November 22nd, 1955 in Ankara. After finishing high school at Ankara TED College, he earned his B.A. degree in Economics and Management from Gazi University in Ankara.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu started his professional life in the private sector. He is the Chairman of Eskihisar Group of Companies, which operates in the fields of construction, construction materials, export and import, agriculture, investments, land development, food industry and automotive sector. Besides his professional career as a prominent businessman in Turkey, Mr. Hisarcıklioglu was elected as a councilman at Ankara Chamber of Commerce in 1990 and still continues his post.
After a one-year vice presidency period at TOBB, Mr. Hisarciklioglu was elected as the President of the Union on June 26th 2001 and was re-elected in May 2002 until 2005. Having demonstrated an outstanding performance in his post as the leader of the Turkish Private Sector, Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu was elected for the second time in May 2005 and for the third time in May 2009.
Since August-2001 Mr. Hisarciklioglu has been the President of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), which aims to contribute to the efforts for improving Turkey's external economic relations through Business Councils world-wide. DEIK assists the business community in the development of foreign economic and commercial activities for the benefit of the country and in the best evaluation of business opportunities through Business Councils established with 86 countries under the aegis of DEIK.
Having the inspiration to improve the quality of labour force of business communities and also bring light to education by combining academic and private sector cooperation, Mr. Hisarciklioglu pioneered the establishment of the 'TOBB University of Economics and Technology' (TOBB-ETU) in Ankara, in July 2003.
The university focuses on science and technology, administrative and social sciences to train business leaders for the 21st century, providing innovative teaching and research programs to educate creative engineers who can acquire, synthesize and apply interdisciplinary scientific knowledge with entrepreneurial skills. Today, TOBB - ETU ranks as the 'most preferred university' among the universities in Turkey.
With an insight to respond to a much-felt necessity for a policy making institution, Mr. Hisarciklioglu pioneered the establishment of a think-thank. He is currently the President of TEPAV - the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, which is engaged in research on economics, governance studies, strategic and foreign policy studies.
For the determination of the priorities in economic issues with participatory approach and through taking the views of Turkish businessmen, Mr. Hisarciklioglu took the initiative to establish the Evaluation Board for Economic Issues (ESDK), which comprises of Ministries, TOBB and representatives from related private sector organizations.
ESDK aims to make significant contribution to the dynamism of the private sector and improve the adaptability of the Turkish economy to internal and external markets, in the course of evaluating issues and burdens on the Turkish business community.
Representing the Turkish private sector, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu is also a Member of the Economic and Social Council of Turkey chaired by the Prime Minister. The Economic and Social Council is a social dialogue platform which covers various socio-economic groups and serves as an important cooperation and communication mechanism between these groups and the government.
Mr. Hisarciklioglu is also the President of the Association of Installation and Construction Material and Member of the Assembly of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Hisarciklioglu is also an Honorary Member in the UNICEF National Committee of Turkey.
With its flashing profile and contemporary spirit, TOBB plays an active role in international relations and global business arena. With this sense, Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu carries wide range of responsibilities in the integration of the Turkish business world with the global market and increasing competitiveness.
During his Presidency, TOBB became the most active and influential umbrella organization of the Turkish business community, not only in the domestic arena but also international sphere.
Mr. Hisarciklioglu is the President of the World Turkish Business Council, which aims to create a strong consensus among the Turkish businessmen abroad and develop their commercial relations.
Mr. Hisarciklioglu has also been the Chairman of the ICC-Turkey (International Chamber of Commerce, National Committee), since September 2001.
Recognizing the importance of the U.S.-Turkey bilateral relationship, TOBB and the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) formed the CSIS-TOBB United States-Turkish Contact Group (CUTCG) in Washington D.C in June 2003. Mr. Hisarciklioglu is the Co-Chairman of this Contact Group.
Mr. Hisarciklioglu is the Chairman of the Ankara Forum, a permanent dialogue mechanism for a trilateral economic cooperation among Palestine, Israel and Turkey, initiated by TOBB. The first meeting of the Ankara Forum was held in Ankara on 27th April 2005, following 7 more meetings. The most concrete project within the Forum in the meantime is the establishment of the Industrial Peace Project in Palestine.
Mr. Hisarciklioglu is the Chairman of the Istanbul Forum, another unique platform to instigate and build up economic cooperation between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey. The first meeting of the Forum took place in Istanbul on 26th October 2007 and the second on 28th January 2008.
Due to his profound approach and sensivity towards Turkey’s economic and social life, Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu, has undertook various responsibilities in many national and international non-governmental organizations.
Having a strong international mission, Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu, works closely with his counterparts around the world and international business organizations. Mr. Hisarciklioglu takes place in the board of outstanding regional organizations:
- Deputy President of Eurochambres: 2009
- President of the Association of Balkan Commerce & Industry (ABC): 2007-2008
- President of the ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry: 2007-2010
Mr. Hisarciklioglu has received numerous Awards from many countries and reputable organizations:
- the Gold Medal of Merit by the Austrian Republic
- the 'Commendatore' from the Italian Republic
- the 'Medal of Inspiration' from Mongolia
- ‘Honorary Doctorate’ by the Karadeniz Technical University in Turkey
- ‘Honorary Doctorate’ by Izmir University of Economics
- ‘Medal of Honour’ from the Assembly of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry
- ‘Honorary Membership” Award from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania.
- Medal of Honour by Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Social Contribution Certificate by Suleyman Demirel University
- Special Science Award from the Popular Scientific Journal
- "Businessman of the Year" Award from the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- "Social Scientist of the Year" Award from the Social Sciences High School Science & Technology Club
- International Road Transport Union (IRU) Honorary Award
- Gratitude Award by the Prime Minister of Turkey
- Gratitude Award by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Certificate of Appreciation by the Prime Minister of Turkey
- Certificate of Honorary Membership by the Turkish - American Businessmen Association
- "Civil Society Exemplary" Award of the Year by the Economist
