The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcýklýoðlu attended the General Secretaries Training Seminar and addressed the General Secretaries.
Secretary General Ahmet ASLAN attended the seminar, representing Kýzýltepe Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Emphasizing that the main owners of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges are the secretaries general, Hisarcýklýoðlu said, “Therefore, it is your duty to keep and protect these places in the best condition. As the Chamber and Exchange community in 81 provinces and 160 districts, we are a single family. We are the only professional organization representing companies and entrepreneurs from all parts of Turkey and from all sectors.”
Explaining that their strength comes from unity and clinging to each other, Hisarcýklýoðlu said, “Our unity, strength and effectiveness are what makes this community unique. It is the biggest quality that distinguishes us from other institutions and makes us stand out.”
Pointing out that great power has a great responsibility, TOBB President said, “We must do justice to the power and the responsibility that has been entrusted to us. This is our legal and moral duty and responsibility. As a community, we do great work and services. The real people behind all this are you. When you do successful work, we succeed too. Thus, the strength and prestige of all of us increase," he said.
Hisarcýklýoðlu emphasized that their duty is to train general secretaries in the best possible way and to equip them with the best information.
Hisarcýklýoðlu said, “Our community is the most democratic institution in Turkey. Therefore, you have an important responsibility in terms of holding elections fairly and in accordance with democratic rules. Hisarcýklýoðlu said, “Our community is the most democratic institution in Turkey.” Therefore, you have an important responsibility to ensure that elections are held fairly and in accordance with democratic rules. You must act in accordance with the laws, regulations, and rules. Always be objective. All we want is for the elections to take place in fairness and justice, in accordance with the rules. This is the only way we can protect the value, power, and effectiveness of this community. All of us must bring these institutions, in which we work and make effort, to a level where we are proud to work at and that we can be proud of.”
Reminding that he is in the administrations of the Union of European Chambers, Islamic CCI (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Asia-Pacific CCI, Hisarcýklýoðlu said that the chamber/exchange system in Turkey has become exemplary, and that the efforts of the general secretaries are enormous.
Stating that Chambers and Commodity Exchanges have become project factories, Hisarcýklýoðlu said, “They have increasingly started to benefit from national and international grant programs. You have brought both financial resources and know-how to your cities. In the last 20 years, more than 1,900 projects have been implemented by our chambers and commodity exchanges. All this has been thanks to you. Keep doing the good work and always beware of the projects.”
Hisarcýklýoðlu asked the general secretaries to act as a bridge between the Chamber/Exchange assembly and the Administration, to be the advisors of their Presidents and Administrations and to guide them.
TOBB President advised that, while doing all this, they should not deviate from justice, be on the side of the truth, and protect the right and the law.
Emphasizing that the magic word in TOBB and the Chamber/Exchange community is “Unity”, Hisarcýklýoðlu said “We are a big family with our members, general secretaries, employees, Chamber and Commodity Exchange Presidents. TOBB is always with you, at your service''.
You can always convey your problem, opinion, or suggestion to our Secretary General or to me. From now on, let's know that the authorities entrusted to us are tools to be used to serve people. Let's always work with this understanding. Let's always keep in mind that you will be brought to account in the afterlife," he said.
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