06.09.2014 Köln / Almanya
The Union Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turks living in Europe have shouldered the European economy. Plans are being drawn to determine how to work together with the Turkish capital and Turkish entrepreneurs exiting the crisis.”
DTİK city representatives received their certificates and badges at the
“DTİK Europe-Balkans Grand Meeting” held by the World Turkish Business Council
(DTİK) working under the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEİK) in Köln,
Germany. Attending the meeting were Turkey Ambassador to Berlin, Hüseyin Avni
Karslıoğlu and Turkey’s Köln Consul General Hüseyin Emre Engin.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the
contributions of Turkish entrepreneurs to the European economy. Stating that
there are 150,000 Turkish entrepreneurs in Europe, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This
was accomplished with no capital. Our people give over 500,000 Europeans
gainful employment. Turks lving in Europe have shouldered burden of the
economy. Plans are being drawn to determine how to work together with the
Turkish capital and Turkish entrepreneurs exiting the crisis.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that their doors at DTİK are open to all and
urged Turkish businessmen and entrepreneurs in Europe to work together to trade
and develop businesses.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that entrepreneurs who are a part of DTİK living
abroad act as bridges between countries and cities they live in, “You will
bridge the gap between Turkey and the country you are residing in. Integrate
fully into the cities you inhabit in order to achieve this.”
Touching on the contributions of the 8th President of the
Republic of Turkey, Turgut Özal, in helping the Turkish business world in their
efforts to participate in global trade, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Özal expanded our
horizons. Today, Turkey has become the largest industrial country between Italy
and China. An industry giant. He told us to explore the world and so we did.”
- There can be no trade
connections without a language connection
Karslıoğlu stated that Turkey must prioritize innovation in production
and that Turkish needs to be one of the primary languages for kindergarten in
Europe.
Karslıoğlu stressed the need to reach out to Turkish entrepreneurs in
Europe who are reticent in promoting themselves.
He went on to state the importance of native language to bridge the gap
with the homeland throughout the years.
- Turks living abroad are
Turkey’s “margraves”
DEİK Board Member Murat Yalçın stressed the importance of the
experiences gained and employment provided by Turkish businessmen in Europe.
DTİK European Region Committee President Turgut Torunoğulları and DTİK
Balkans Region Committee President Ömer Süsli provided information on their
respective regional projects to date and urged Turks living in Europe and the
Balkans to join DTİK.
Businessmen receiving their certificates and badges had their picture
taken with Karslıoğlu and Hisarcıklıoğlu.