04.09.2014 Karachi / Pakistan
Speaking at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Council meeting, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu urged the facilitation of trade. Reminding that EU countries conduct 70% of their trade with each other and their neighbors, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As the ECO countries, we are still trying to keep us away from each other. Protective policies, although they may seem beneficial in the short term, in the medium term, they prevent development and prosperity.”
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the opening ceremony of
the 19th Executive Council, 13th General Assembly and
Committee Meetings of the Economic Cooperation Organization Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (ECO CCI). In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the business
community is not only the guarantor of prosperity in the region but also that
of peace, “Because peace, trade and prosperity are inseparable parts of a
whole. Without one, the others are impossible.”
Touching on the subject of global instability, the TOBB President stated
that this instability is in fact the birthing pains of a new era. Stating that
this period of change will reshape global political and economic situation,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “New balances of power and alliances will take shape in
the future. Countries which analyze the process well and prepare accordingly
will be winners in the new era.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “The USA was the first to get a handle on global
developments. They are working on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership with the EU while also working with Asia-Pacific countries to form
the Transpacific Economic Partnership. The USA, EU and Pacific countries – two
thirds of the world’s economy – will work together.
They will make the rules. Their countries and peoples will prosper. And
what are we doing? We’ve not made any advance. We walled ourselves off from
each other. We’ve been talking about the importance of ECOTA for years but
there is no progress. Why are we unable to match the Europeans’ success?
Perhaps we lack knowledge or conviction. However, unless we develop our trade
relations we will be unable to develop the other aspects of our relations as
well.”
- ECOTA must enter into effect
with no more delays
Stating that there is no more time to lose Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the
need to put the ECOTA into effect with all due haste. Stressing the importance
of the visa issue in increasing cooperation, TOBB President M. Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Our culture is one wherein brothers need not ask for
permission to visit each other. But we continue to block each other off. As
Turkey, we don’t require visa permits from nearly any ECO countries. However,
our citizens can only travel to a very few ECO countries without visa permits.”
- G20 Term President will be
Turkey
Reporting that Turkey will be taking over as G20 Term President next
year, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Additionally, the Business 20 (B20) has been formed
to handle the business side of G20. Turkey will be taking over G20 duties. I
have been elected as B20 Board Chairman. B20’s Turkey efforts will be
spearheaded by TOBB as the Turkish business umbrella organization.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that their primary goals will be to increase cooperation
while maintaining stability and prosperity.
At the end of the meeting, Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines
handed over the Presidency to the Pakistani Federation of Commerce and Industry
Chambers.