03.11.2025 İstanbul

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), attended the 41st Ministerial Meeting of the Permanent Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and conveyed the views of the Turkish business world.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that there is serious turmoil and uncertainty throughout the world and the region, saying that the global economy has been driven into a more fragile, volatile, and uncertain situation.

Pointing to the rise of protectionism in international trade, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We can only overcome such a complex environment by standing together. Allah says in Surah Ali Imran, ‘Hold fast, all together, to Allah, and do not let go.’ Therefore, in such a difficult environment, as the Islamic world, we need to put aside our differences of opinion, take a common stance, and act as one.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that without unity there can be no mercy, and that only in this way can we help the Palestinians, Syrians, Lebanese, and many other innocent and oppressed people in many countries.

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Muslims are responsible not only for what they do but also for what they fail to do, adding: “Let us not forget that together there is grace and prosperity, while in dissent there is anguish. The most important way to achieve this is through trade. Because trade is the greatest source of peace. Those who trade do not discuss disputes or look at each other with hostility. Therefore, we must remove commercial barriers such as visas and quotas between us and increase trade with each other. We have taken important steps in this direction. The preferential trade agreement between Islamic countries has finally been implemented. Furthermore, the Islamic Cooperation Organization Arbitration Center, whose establishment we initiated at the instruction of our President, has begun operations in İstanbul. We ask you to direct companies in your countries here, to support efforts to make it a priority address, and to encourage the use of this Arbitration Center.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that border crossings must also be facilitated to enable more trade, adding that Türkiye has successfully implemented measures in this regard.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “With the approval of our government, we modernized all of Türkiye’s major land customs gates using the ‘build-operate-transfer’ model. Not a single penny was spent from the public budget. As a result, the volume of crossings increased exponentially. Waiting times at the border were cut in half. This project was elected as the best project by the UN and was held up as an example to other countries. Following this, we launched another joint initiative with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development. We aimed to modernize the land customs gates in 57 Islamic countries. We expect your support in this matter as well.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu recalled that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation had established the Islamic Arbitration Center in İstanbul by decision of its competent bodies, and announced that the center’s establishment process had been completed.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is now ready to contribute to the process of developing trade and investment between our countries. We kindly request your support for the promotion and work of the Islamic Arbitration Center, which is our joint institution.”