Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the meeting attended by the US State Ministry Economy and Trade Vice Undersecretary Jose Fernandez, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the steps taken towards the “model partnership” concept in recent years have been encouraging and that the financial relations between the two countries is becoming more significant.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the public and private sectors of both countries are coming together more often, taking more concrete steps.

Emphasizing that the financial aspect of Turkey – USA relations encompassing bilateral trade and investment, tourism, entrepreneurship, know-how transfer and cooperation in third countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that developing and deepening the cooperation between the two countries will benefit the people of both greatly.

Stating that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement presents considerable opportunities for taking financial relations with the USA to the next level, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The matter also came up during our Prime Minister’s last USA visit: Turkey must monitor this issue closely. The model partnership relation with the USA, the customs union relation with the EU, demand that Turkey be involved. Turkey will also be strengthening its financial relations with the EU just like it has done with the USA.”

- Turkey – USA alliance

Hisarcıklıoğlu, expressing that the Turkey – USA Free Trade Agreement process will be beneficial, emphasized that steps taken during the EU process for the Customs Union have greatly profited both Turkey and international trade.

Underlining that as TOBB, they are closely following the proceedings, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they had benefited from their relations with the European Union, conducting most of their trade with the EU.

Drawing attention to the fact that most of the direct foreign investments in Turkey are from the EU, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that EU countries are investing more and more to the future of Turkey.

Expressing that the level of cooperation between Turkey and the USA in terms of politics and military has no comparable equal, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have an immensely advanced coalition. We have similar approaches to many international matters. Now, in the financial field as well, we want to achieve the same level of relations as Turkey has with the EU.”

- Cooperation third countries

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are working on a value chain analysis between USA and Turkish companies and that a study for assessing the economic impact of financing cooperation in third companies.

Reporting that a trade delegation will be visiting Turkey from the USA in a trip organized by TOBB and the US Trade Chamber, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that cooperation opportunities in Turkey and in third countries would be discussed with the delegation.

A provisional conference will be held regarding said matters, stated Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on: “We are cooperating tangibly with the US State Department: The Global Entrepreneurship Program and Partners for a New Beginning. Both enterprises provide tangible platforms for the deepening of relations. Different strata of the populace are becoming party to the relations between the two countries.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu invited American companies to come to Turkey and to take advantage of a growing economy and the new incentives system.

- US State Department Economy and Commerce Vice Undersecretary Fernandez

US State Department Economy and Commerce Vice Undersecretary Jose Fernandez stated that his country wants to increase economic relations to the level of political and defense relations between the two countries. Fernandez said, “That is why, working together, we want to contribute to Turkey’s goal of becoming one of the ten largest economies in the world by 2023.”

Fernandez spoke at length about the opportunities for American companies in Turkey as well as strengthening ties with SMEs.

Thanking TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu for his support for entrepreneurship programs, Fernandez emphasized that they are a perfect partner in the global entrepreneurship program. Fernandez stated that entrepreneurship brings about employment as well as innovation and expressed his pleasure regarding Turkey’s efforts to this end.