In collaboration with globalisation, which is irreversible fact of today, the volume of international trade and investment has been augmenting rapidly. Given to that, new actors have showed up to be more effective in the world economy and process of liberalisation in trade has initiated, total world trade has increased by 11 times in the past 15 years.

In this context, it is explicitly observed that the shares of low and middle-income countries in the world trade have increased, and former eastern block countries and new Asian exporter countries such as China, South Korea, Hong Kong and India have joined to the permanent exporters such as western countries and Japan. As a sign of this tendency share of Turkey in the world trade has been increasing as well, nevertheless the competition conditions are getting more difficult likewise.

In addition to developments in trade, Turkey has also been integrating to the global economy rapidly and has become an appealing country for investment in the process of integration to European Union. In the past 4 years, Turkish economy has grown by more than 7% averagely which is originally the result of production, investment and export activities of private sector. Turkey who has the most dynamic and most integrated private sector of Balkans, Middle East, South Africa and Central Asia is a model and leader in the region thanks to this aspect. 65 % of the industrial materials of Middle East and North Africa are exported by Turkey. The industrial materials constitute 65% of Turkish export commodities, whereas 10 % are technological goods. Turkey is the 6th biggest trade partner of European Union. The competitive markets such as OECD, EU and USA account for 65 % of Turkey’s total export. Moreover the total volume of the projects who have taken over by Turkish contractors has reached out to 71.3 million dollars by the end of 2005. Turkey who is the biggest economy of Eastern Europe and Middle East has become 20th biggest economy of the world while 7th biggest economy of Europe as well. Turkey will achieve more successes hereafter.

Previously considered as a flank country, Turkey now stands as a central country in the zone on which the world intensively focuses. This position ascribes another aspect to Turkey and it increases the need for leader institutions in order to provide Turkey’s integration to the world. Acting upon this consciousness, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) participate in every regional and international activity which will promote Turkey’s relations. Accordingly TOBB has undertaken various tasks in Eurochambers, ICC, Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, World Chambers Federation (WCF), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC), Association of the Black Sea Zone Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) which represents business world of OECD countries.

Turkey has grown with a striking and rapid momentum in the past 5 years. TOBB has endorsed this process, has pioneered for several international projects by taking initiative and has become focus point of the business arenas of world’s pioneering countries. In this context, TOBB has become an actor who believes that economical integration and augmenting dialogue are crucial condition for a prosperous and peaceful community.

The business world organizations undoubtedly have a mission of gathering all dynamic entrepreneurs together under one institution, leading their essence of entrepreneurship toward proper channels and accordingly encouraging them. Acting upon this mission, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey pioneers Turkey’s entrepreneurs both in domestic and international arenas.

In cooperation with TOBB, DEIK (Foreign Economic Relations Board) is a major organization that has undertaken the mission of pioneering the Turkish business world in its international relations. Having been restructured, DEIK whose founder institutions represent the whole private sector will continue contributing in improving Turkey’s commercial and investment relations by a higher acceleration.

DEIK has defined a new mission and vision in parallel with its new structure. Having completed the processes of foundation and expansion, DEIK will now enrich and deepen its activities in order to secure present share of our industry in the foreign markets and gain more shares. Moreover it will introduce new products to Turkish business world, especially to Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SME) and will reach to unattainable geographies and masses.

Being a pioneering legal organization serving in Turkey’s integration to the world, DEIK will carry on encouraging the businessmen in their foreign activities and introducing Turkey in international arenas.

The Turkish businessmen operating in various sectors as an exporter, importer, industrialist, tourism operator, contractor, international transporter is a team which endeavour in order to achieve common goals and withstand against common difficulties in international arenas.

I, sincerely believe that this team will overcome all difficulties simultaneously with the coordination and leadership of DEIK, and wish you success.

M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU
President