03.04.2015 Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu met with the attendees of the Council Members’ Seminar which took place between the 3rd and 5th of April. Stating that the prosperity of Turkey is in the hands of the entrepreneurs, Hisarcıklıoğlu urged that council members generate ideas and projects for their cities and come together for common cause.
TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he travels between 320,000 and
360,000 kilometers each year, the equivalent of circumnavigating the world 8
times over, going on to provide information on TOBB’s endeavors.
Emphasizing that the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey
is one of the most democratic institutions in the country, Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated that being elected means that council members are opinion leaders of
their regions, “That is why you must have intimate knowledge of the
organization, its endeavors and capabilities. You must act as guides.”
Underlining the fact that the most important factor in prosperous
countries is the enterprising spirit, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Not gas, oil or
minerals; what makes cities and countries prosper are entrepreneurs.
Fortunately we have it.” The TOBB President pointed out that cities, not
countries, are the main competitors in today’s world and urged council members
to cooperate for the futures of their cities.
“Birds of a feather flock together,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu stating that
TOBB’s success is built on the cooperation and solidarity of chamber and
exchange presidents.