Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed last year with the USA Chamber of Commerce, they are holding Turkey Investment Week activities in various USA cities. In this regard they will be traveling to Washington from Atlanta and previously, New York.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, reminding that there are various issues effecting the region surrounding Turkey; the Euro crisis to the west, Arab spring to the south, and said, “Despite this, I am still optimistic. My optimism is a result of the change in global economy. It is vastly easier to establish a company today than it used to be.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Atlanta is at the very top of the innovative cities index and stated that this was a result of the success of the Atlanta business community and said that they are working to create a similar business community in Turkey.

- Prime Minister Deputy Ali Babacan

In his speech, Prime Minister Deputy Ali Babacan stated that when the negotiations for membership with the EU, they had been asked when they would be ready and went on, “Now, the actual question is, when will the EU be ready?”

Prime Minister Deputy Babacan, during his visit to the USA as part of the Turkey Investment Week activities organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the American Chamber of Commerce, met with the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank, Dennis Lockhart and Georgia Governor Nathan Deal in Atlanta.

Afterwards, accompanying TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu to the Emory University, Babacan gave a presentation titled, “Turkey as a Center of Production and Investment for USA Companies.”
Babacan stated that he felt at home due to the university education he received in the USA.

- “Turkey used strict policies during the crisis”

Pointing out that the effects of the global crisis have been limited thanks to the reforms enacted, Babacan said, “We used strict policies. In the last 3.5 years, we have provided employment for 4.7 million people and made important advances in addressing the distribution of wealth, improved competitiveness and achieved growth despite strict policies.”

Babacan said, “This growth was achieved thanks to the work of the private sector. We, as the government, provided a strong base in the fields of banking and public financing. The private sector contributed to growth employment.”

- Coca-Cola visit

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, along with Prime Minister Deputy Ali Babacan, visited the Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta.
The delegation was greeted by the Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent. Babacan, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu Muhtar Kent and chamber and exchange presidents from various provinces of Turkey posed for a commemorative photo of the occasion.
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