Business forum on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey
On 12 -13 September in Istanbul, a business forum was held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) – a strategic partner of the BCCI in Turkey and in the region due to the membership of both organizations in the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC). The forum was opened by the TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.
Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu described the development of the Union from a small office in Ankara in 1952 to the large business organization it is today, which due to the economic power of its members occupies one of the leading positions worldwide.
The President of TOBB was presented
with a special gift by BCCI
Hisarcıklıoğlu put emphasis on the importance of cooperation during his opening speech at the forum, “This century, in simplest terms, is the century of cooperation. Those who don’t cooperate, who secede from the world, who wall themselves in will lose. That mentality misses opportunities; turns them into risks instead.”
During the forum information about the current status of Turkish economy was presented, which in the conditions of world economic and financial crisis registered enormous growth (economic growth of 9.2% in 2010 and 8.6% in 2011). Turkey’s GDP which in 2002 amounted to USD 230 billion grew up to USD 772 billion. For the last 9 years Turkish economy has attracted USD 110 billion foreign investments. Compared to the other countries, Turkey is the 17th largest economic power in the world.
The Secretary General of BCCI Vasil Todorov took part in the forum. During the official part, the President of TOBB was presented with a special gift by BCCI as a symbol of the extremely beneficial cooperation between the two organizations as part of the bilateral relations and within international organizations.