03.10.2015 Pristina / Kosovo
In Kosovo for the preparation of a report to be presented to the EUROCHAMBRES Board of Directors, EUROCHAMBRES Vice President and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu visited Kosovo Chamber of Commerce in Pristina.
Meeting with Kosovo Chamber of Commerce Chair Safet Gerxhaliu,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce had first applied for
EUROCHAMBRES membership in 2008.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they expect the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce’s
membership to be accepted by EUROCHAMBRES which represents 1,700 chambers and
20 million employees. He went on to say that TOBB will continue to be a voice
for Kosovo in EUROCHAMBRES, “A strong chamber of commerce is necessary for Kosovan
traders and industrialists to reach the same position as their counterparts in
Europe. To this end, the mentality which is a remnant of Soviet rule must be
abandoned. Kosovo requires a strong chamber with its necessary legislative
framework. We are following the normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia
closely. In this regard, we support the endeavors of the Kosovan and Serbian
Chambers of Commerce. We hosted both countries’ Chambers of Commerce in Turkey
on May 22nd.”
“Without peace there is no trade; without trade there is no prosperity,”
said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “If you want to prosper, you must open the way
for trade. The conditions necessary for trade can only be attained with peace.
We must support politicians in the pursuit of peace. These efforts will result
in a more prosperous and financially developed Kosovo which can stand on its
own.”
Pointing to the establishment of the Business Committee as the business
community organizations of Turkey and Kosovo in order to increase bilateral
cooperation and improvement of the business capacity of both countries,
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the goal of strengthening relations between the
Chambers of Commerce.
Reporting that the petition has been discussed at the EUROCHAMBRES Board
Meeting on September 24th, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I’ve come here to
prepare a report to present to the Board. We will vote on the issue on October
16th following the presentation of this report to the Board.
Hopefully, the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce will become a EUROCHAMBRES member as
a result.”
- Kosovo Chamber of Commerce
Chair Gerxhaliu
Kosovo Chamber of Commerce Chair Gerxhaliu expressed his hope that the
Kosovo Chamber of Commerce will become a part of European chambers of commerce
during the meeting to be held by EUROCHAMBRES on October 15th -16th
and said, “The greater share of this success is not mine by Mr. Rifat’s as he
has supported Kosovo all throughout the membership process.”
Gerxhaliu stated that TOBB has introduced Kosovo to the business world
and that TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu is a true ambassador to Kosovan economy.
Hisarcıklıoğlu also met with Kosovan Minister of Commerce and Industry
Hykmete Bajrami, Minister of Public Administration Mahir Yağcılar and Turkey’s
Ambassador to Pristina Kıvılcım Kılıç.