Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

 

The 39th General Assembly of the Association of Latin American Chambers of Commerce (AICO) was held between the 6th and 9th of October, 2012 in the city of Lleida, Spain, bringing together over 400 chambers of commerce from 23 countries. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu presentation regarding Turkey at the General Assembly was the center of much interest. Attending the General Assembly along with Hisarcıklıoğlu were Board members Ender Yorgancılar and Arif Parmaksız. TOBB was introduced to the business community at the TOBB booth at the General Assembly Hall.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, touching on the development of Turkey’s economy throughout history during his presentation at AICO’s General Assembly and the opportunities afforded by Turkey, provided more in depth information about TOBB. Hisarcıklıoğlu renewed TOBB petition for observer membership to AICO.

 

- Bilateral talks with Latin American Chamber Presidents

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu conducted bilateral talks with Mexican National Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) President Ricardo Navarro, Mexican Chambers Confederation (CONCANACO) President Jorge Davila, Bolivian Chamber of Commerce President Oscar Alberto Calle, Lleida Chamber of Commerce President Joan Simo, Colombian Chambers Confederation President Julian Dominguez, AICO President Peter Hill and Ecuador Chamber of Commerce President Eduardo Pena and invited the Latin American businessmen to Turkey.

Meeting with the Catalonian Autonomous Zone President Artur Mas during the AICO General Assembly, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they are following the developments in the Catalonian region and stated that the zone’s economic power will further its economic relations with Turkey. Stating that he puts great importance on Turkey, President Mas promised to visit Turkey at the soonest opportunity.

In his meeting with the ICC Spain President Miquel Valls i Maseda, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu was briefed on the latest developments in the chambers membership system in Spain and discussed the partnership opportunities between Spain and Turkey with the Spain Chambers Union President Manuel Teruel.

- Trade volumes of the Latin American countries increasing

The roles of the chambers of commerce were emphasized during the opening of the AICO General Assembly while the need for revitalization of foreign trade for solving the European economic crisis and long-term beneficial policies implemented by decision makers was pointed out. It was reported that Latin American countries have improved in terms of economy and that their trade volumes are increasing further each day; it was also mentioned that the Catalonian region’s exports are transcending the borders of Europe, amounting to 25% of Spain’s foreign trade volume.
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