18.11.2014 İstanbul
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the US Chamber of Commerce Turkey Office is the second foreign office after Brussels, indicating how important US-Turkey relations are viewed by global American companies.
The US Chamber of Commerce Regional Office was opened during a ceremony
attended by Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz, TOBB President M. Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu, US Chamber of Commerce Vice President In Charge of
International Relations Myron Brilliant and US’ Consul to İstanbul, Charles Hunter.
Speaking at the ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the US Chamber of Commerce Office would provide to the region and not just
Turkey, “This office is the second foreign office after Brussels in the world.
This in itself indicates how important US-Turkey relations are viewed by global
American companies.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the economic aspect of Turkish-American
relations are always their priority, stating that TOBB and the US Chamber of
Commerce has been taking concrete steps to this end, the TOBB President reported
that many joint activities beyond the scope of the memorandum of understanding
signed between the two countries in the December of 2012.
These joint activities have been carried well outside of the capitals of
Turkey and the USA, spreading to Ankara, İstanbul, New York, Atlanta, Washington, San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and Jordan.
Reporting that joint work is underway in regards to the TTIP,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the Middle East Trade Center Technology meeting
would be held the following day in İstanbul.
Emphasizing that the opening and signature ceremony is a result of the
work of two years, Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the Development Minister Yılmaz for
his attendance and asked for his continued support.
Stressing the increased importance of Turkish-American cooperation,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey-USA relations are very important for the
strengthening of Turkey’s technological infrastructure and the resulting
qualitative transformation.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that US Chamber of Commerce and TOBB cooperation
is very important in this regard and that they will be presenting their report
on this matter soon.
Stating that they have a vision for the centennial anniversary of the
foundation of the Turkish Republic, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We’ve set significant
goals in economy, social life, education, culture and art. In succeeding at
these goals, the US business world offers important opportunities to this end.
We must make use of these opportunities and take our economic relations to the
next level. Our relations will level up. We want to work and succeed together.”
- Development Minister
Yılmaz
Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz stated that the opening of the office
would create new cooperation opportunities between the two countries and
stressed that Turkey could not be left out of the TTIP.
Stating that due to geographical and historical reasons, Turkey and the
USA are compelling candidates for cooperation, Yılmaz expressed pleasure in the
will put forth with recent developments such as the opening of the Region
Office in İstanbul, going on to point out various possibilities emerging such
as tourism, education transfers and health tourism.
- Myron Brilliant
US Chamber of Commerce Vice President In Charge of International
Relations Myron Brilliant stated that Turkey is of great importance for them.
Stating that their work throughout the world is at a very important
point as the US Chamber of Commerce, Brilliant said that the memorandum of
understanding would present both countries with great advantages.
Brilliant went on to say that they would continue to diversify their
relationship with TOBB as a part of the memorandum of understanding and said,
“Turkey represent much more than just a region. Turkey is a base for many
regions. A new era for Turkish-USA relations is beginning.”
- Charles Hunter
US’ Consul to İstanbul, Charles Hunter stated that the opening of this
office is a very important step and would contribute to ensuring the peace and
prosperity of the region. Pointing out the need to support private sector and
business community partnerships, Hunter stated that they want bilateral trade
to grow much more.
- TOBB – US Chamber of Commerce
Cooperation Protocol signed
Following the opening of the US Chamber of Commerce Office, TOBB
President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the US Chamber of Commerce Vice President
In Charge of International Relations Myron Brilliant signed the TOBB– US
Chamber of Commerce Cooperation Protocol.