13 June 2016 - The ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC) had a Working Luncheon with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the biggest chamber of commerce in Turkey, on June 01 to discuss how to strengthen their partnership in enhancing the economic engagement of ASEAN and Turkey.

The AAC was represented by the following Heads of Missions of ASEAN Embassies in Turkey: 1) H.E. Tuan Pham Anh, Ambassador of Vietnam and the current AAC Chair; 2) H.E. Mohd Sahrip Othman, Ambassador of Brunei; 3) H.E. Wardana, Ambassador of Indonesia; 4) H.E. Amran Bin Mohamed Zin, Ambassador of Malaysia; 5) H.E. Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, Ambassador of the Philippines; 6) H.E. Selverajah A, Ambassador of Singapore; and 7) H.E. Tharit Charungvat, Ambassador of Thailand. TOBB was headed by its President, Mr. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.

During the meeting, Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu provided the AAC members an overview of TOBB and important developments in the Turkish economy. Professor Guven Sak, the Managing Director of TEPAV (the think tank arm of TOBB), delivered a presentation on the economic reforms and transitions that Turkey undertook and is still undertaking. The presentation also included an analysis of what economic reforms Turkey needs to undertake in the future to ensure continued economic growth.

The AAC Ambassadors took turns in sharing the economic significance and strengths of ASEAN. Thai Ambassador Charungvat, who was tasked by the AAC to deliver a short presentation on ASEAN, focused on ASEAN connectivity and feedback of business executives on the success of their businesses in ASEAN. Ambassador Amran of Malaysia emphasized the importance of strengthening the institutional linkages of the business communities in ASEAN and Turkey and raised the possibility of TOBB taking a lead in this endeavor.

Ambassador Sanchez of the Philippines shared with TOBB information about the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurship Network (AWEN) and underlined the great potential for cooperation between women entrepreneurs in ASEAN and Turkey especially in SMEs. Ambassador Selverajah of Singapore pointed out the huge potential for infrastructure development in ASEAN for Turkish construction companies. H.E. Anh, Ambassador of Vietnam and current AAC Chair, highlighted the importance of the meeting with TOBB in promoting the ASEAN community in Turkey.

At the end of the meeting, proposals were made for regular meetings between ASEAN and Turkish business chambers, as well as between ASEAN and Turkish women entrepreneurs, alternating in ASEAN capitals and in Turkey. END