Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Turkey has united as one voice. The “No to Terror; Yes to Solidarity Meeting” found wide attendance with support from TOBB and 261 civil society organizations. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity in fighting terrorism, “This homeland, this country, this flag belong to all of us. Together, we are Turkey.”​

14 organizations representing NGOs, syndicates and trade bodies issued a call to everyone to assemble at the Ankara Sıhhiye Square on Thusday, September 17th, to protest terror. Reading the statement, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We call on every citizen who condemns terror and works to preserve our solidarity. We say ‘No to Terror. Yes to Solidarity’. We invite everyone to this great meeting.”​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, in a message regarding recent terror attacks, said, “We urge every single citizen. Embrace your neighbors. This is a day for Turks to extend their hands to Kurds, for Kurds to extend their hands to Turks, for Alawites to extend their hands to Sunnis and Sunnis to extend their hands to Alawites. This is a day to unite, to be one; to be strong and lively.”​

In a letter of condolence for the martyrs of the heinous attacks perpetrated by terrorists in Diyarbakır and Hakkari, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Those who meddle in terror and hope to benefit from it are committing crimes against humanity.”​

The B20 Turkey Conference hosted Prime Minister Davutoğlu while G20’s Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors convened at the “Navigating Through the Global Low Growth and Low Interest Rate Environment” plenary session. B20 Turkey Chair and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the need for a louder voice for the private sector in international organizations.​

B20, representing employers in G20 countries, and L20, representing employees, signed a joint statement aiming to increase employment, revitalize growth and improve working conditions. Speaking after the signing of the declaration, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the declaration is comprised of the L20’s and B20’s demands regarding their shared problems of growth and employment.​

Speaking at the B20 Growth Focused Agenda session held as a part of the B20 Turkey Conference hosted by TOBB, B20 Turkey Chair and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the global economy has taken on an uncertain aspect.​

The B20 Turkey Conference, hosted by B20 Turkey and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu began with the attendance of the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the prominent actors of the global economy. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that B20 Turkey has been hard at work and have determined a list of 19 demands to be conveyed to G20 Leaders. The list was presented to President Erdoğan.​

EUROCHAMBRES Vice President and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated in his speech during the EUROCHAMBRES Affiliated and Correspondent Members Committee meeting, “We are living in a time of great uncertainties and major challenges. Low economic growth, unemployment and especially young unemployment, protectionism and last but not least, migration are the main source of these challenges”​

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu visited Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Kutbettin Arzu at his office. Extending his well wishes to Minister Aşçı at his new appointment, whereupon Hisarcıklıoğlu and Arzu exchanged views.​