22.02.2015 Jeddah / Saudi Arabia
B20 Turkey held its first Regional Consultation Forum in Jeddah with the participation of around 150 businessmen from Saudi Arabia and Gulf Countries. Turkey’s G20 priorities were met with interest during the Forum in which TOBB President and B20 Turkey President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that in the present state of affairs, it is no longer enough to be a self-sufficient country.
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is no longer possible to stand by oneself. The
future of our economies is closely tied to how well integrated they are into
the global markets.”
The first Regional Consultation Forum organized by B20 Turkey was held
in in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Attending the Forum were Prime Minister Deputy Ali
Babacan, Saudi Arabian Finance Minister Dr. İbrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf as well
as almost all of the TOBB Board. Regional Forums will take place in India,
Singapore, China, Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa and Russia.
During the opening notes of the Forum, TOBB and B20 Turkey President M.
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu provided information in regards to plans for Turkey’s term
presidency.
Hisarcıklıoğlu, stressing the matter of globalization, said, “20-30
years ago, countries used to stand on their own, reveling in the fact that they
were self-sufficient. Today, we stand at a much different situation,
globalization is active in all fields. It is no longer possible to stand by
oneself. The future of our economies is closely tied to how well integrated
they are into the global markets. We gain maximum benefit from globalization if
decisions are made together, if all parties are included in the decision making
process.”
Providing information on G20’s mission, structure and goals,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is very important to increase cooperation between
countries while searching for solutions to the problems brought on by
globalization. Those facing the everyday results of globalization on a first
hand basis are businessmen. We must relate our problems to the G20 so that
solutions might be found. This is what B20, the business arm of the G20,
provides us. We businessmen must take active role in the B20 and work closely
with the G20 for the prosperity of all.”
- SMEs will have a voice in B20
for the first time
Stating that they have made inclusivity the primary principle of the
B20, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the B20 platform should be open to everyone who
wants to contribute to the interests of the business world. Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “For us, multinational companies as well as SMEs, developed countries as
well as developing countries are of the utmost importance. We have implemented
two new mechanisms to this end. The first is the establishment of the SMEs and
Enterprise Task Farce. We will generate policy aimed to helping SMEs which
provide the most employment, produce the most and ensure that wealth is
distributed. We will also establish the World SME Forum with G20 and the ICC to
guard SMEs rights.”
- Importance of regional
consultation forums
In order to increase the inclusivity of B20, the second step of the
regional consultation forums is behind held in Saudi Arabia, reported
Hisarcıklıoğlu and said, “We have two goals when planning Regional Consultation
Forums. First: We want to include the least represented rising market economies
in the B20. Secondly: The goal of these meetings is to learn the views of
non-G20 countries in regards to the B20.”