The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) is a non-governmental organization that represents the private sector and business community in Turkey. The union encompasses a diverse range of trade chambers and commodity exchanges from across the country, acting as a liaison between the private sector and the government, and advocating for the interests of Turkish companies in various sectors.

TOBB was established in 1950 with the goal of supporting economic growth and development in Turkey by promoting trade and investment, providing services to its members, and contributing to the formulation of economic policies.

The union plays a significant role in enhancing cooperation between companies and facilitating trade and knowledge exchange. TOBB also organizes conferences, workshops, and other events to support business activities and economic projects in the country.

the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)

Main Goals and Tasks of TOBB

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) plays a vital role in supporting the private sector and business community in Turkey and works towards achieving a set of main goals and tasks, including:

Representing the Private Sector: TOBB represents its member chambers and exchanges before the government, international institutions, and NGOs, defending their interests and demands.

Promoting Trade and Investment: The union seeks to facilitate and stimulate trade and investment within Turkey and internationally by providing support and information to companies.

Organizing Economic Events: TOBB organizes conferences, forums, workshops, and exhibitions to enhance communication and knowledge exchange among its members and promote economic growth.

Developing Economic Policies: The union contributes to the formulation of economic policies and regulations aimed at improving the business environment in Turkey and provides recommendations to the government on major economic issues.

Supporting SMEs: TOBB offers support and development programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their competitiveness and increase their contribution to the national economy.

Education and Training: The union is committed to providing specialized education and training programs to enhance workforce efficiency and prepare it to meet modern market needs.

International Cooperation: The union aims to enhance cooperation and partnerships with international institutions and organizations to support trade, investment, and connect with global markets.

Through these goals and tasks, TOBB contributes to strengthening the Turkish economy and supporting the development of the private sector for sustainable growth.

Organizational Structure of TOBB

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) has an organizational structure designed to effectively manage and execute its various activities. Here’s an overview of TOBB’s organizational structure:

General Assembly: Composed of representatives from all member chambers and exchanges. The General Assembly is the supreme authority for decision-making and defining the union's general policies.

Board of Directors: Consists of the president and a number of members elected by the General Assembly. The board manages the daily affairs of the union and makes executive decisions based on established policies.

President of the Union: The principal figure who leads the execution of policies and activities within the union and represents it at official meetings and events.

Sectoral Councils: Represent various economic and commercial sectors, serve the specific interests of each sector, and provide recommendations to the Board.

General Secretariat: Includes a team of professionals and officials responsible for executing policies and decisions, and coordinating the union's daily activities.

Various Committees: Formed by members from the chambers and exchanges, these committees study and explore various issues like international trade, economic policies, technology, and education.

Regional and Local Offices: Help expand the scope of the union's services and facilitate communication and activities throughout different regions in Turkey.

This structure enables the union to deliver services and follow up efficiently, ensuring effective representation of the members' interests across different regions and sectors in Turkey.

Strategies Employed by TOBB

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) focuses on several main strategies to boost the Turkish economy and support the private sector. Some of the strategies TOBB works on include:

Enhancing Competitiveness: TOBB aims to enhance the competitiveness of Turkish companies both locally and internationally by providing technical and advisory support and improving the business environment in the country.

Promoting International Trade: The union works to open international markets for Turkish producers through trade agreements and international partnerships, as well as organizing trade fairs and economic missions.

Supporting SMEs: Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises is a priority for TOBB, enhancing their competitive capacities through training programs, development, and financial support.

Digital Transformation and Innovation: The union encourages companies to adopt digital transformation and innovation to boost efficiency and productivity.

Education and Vocational Training: TOBB focuses on developing human resources through education and vocational training to ensure the availability of skilled labor that meets practical market needs.

Infrastructure and Investment: TOBB supports the development of economic infrastructure and drives the attraction of foreign and domestic investments to stimulate economic growth.

Dialogue with Government: Acting as a link between the private sector and the government, TOBB engages in negotiations on economic and trade policies that serve the interests of its members and stimulate economic growth.

Through these strategies, TOBB aims to support the private sector and achieve sustainable economic development in Turkey.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) is the administrative body responsible for implementing policies and overseeing the union’s daily operations. Members of the Board are elected from the representatives of member chambers and exchanges in TOBB. The board typically comprises:

President: Leads the board and represents the union in national and international forums. Responsible for providing strategic vision and overseeing the implementation of policies and programs.

Vice Presidents: Support the president and may have specialized responsibilities in specific areas like international trade or economic policies.

Elected Members: Includes members elected to represent various sectors and regions in Turkey, ensuring a broad and inclusive representation of different interests.

Specialized Committees: The structure might include committees focused on subjects like finance, regulation, legislation, and trade, tasked with studying relevant issues and providing recommendations to the board.

Secretariat or General Secretariat: Provides administrative and coordination support to the board, organizes meetings, and documents decisions.

The board plays a crucial role in making strategic decisions and guiding the activities of the union in a manner that serves the collective interests of its members and contributes to enhancing the Turkish economy and developing the private sector.

Membership Method

Joining the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) requires a commercial entity to be a member of one of the trade chambers or exchanges located throughout Turkey, as TOBB represents these chambers and commercial entities under it. Here are the basic steps to obtain membership, which consequently qualifies representation in TOBB:

Business Registration: The company must first be officially registered in Turkey and possess all necessary legal documents, such as a commercial registry and work permits.

Join a Chamber of Commerce: After registering the company, it can apply for membership in the local chamber of commerce or exchange that it geographically or sectorally belongs to.

Submit Documents: You will be asked to submit a set of documents that prove the legal and financial status of the company, such as legal documents of the commercial registry, articles of incorporation, and financial statements.

Pay Fees: Joining usually requires paying a specified membership fee that depends on the type, size, and location of the company.

Approval and Membership: After reviewing the application and ensuring all conditions are met, the company becomes a member of the chamber of commerce or exchange, thereby gaining representation within TOBB.

Membership in TOBB through the chambers of commerce entitles the company to benefit from numerous services, including participation in economic events, access to support and development programs, and representation before governmental authorities.

Headquarters and Branches

The headquarters of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) is located in the capital, Ankara. The main address is:

Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)

Dumlupınar Bulvarı No:252 (Eskişehir Yolu 9.Km)

06530 Ankara, Turkey

As for branches, TOBB does not have conventional branches as a single entity, but operates through a network consisting of many chambers of commerce and exchanges spread across Turkey. Each chamber of commerce or exchange acts as an independent branch serving the geographical area or business sector it corresponds to. Therefore, the addresses of these chambers and local entities vary according to their geographical location.

The chambers of commerce and exchanges represent TOBB within their local scope and provide services and advice to members and companies in those areas. You can usually obtain the addresses and details of these chambers by visiting the official TOBB website or the websites of local chambers of commerce.

https://www.tobb.org.tr/Sayfalar/AnaSayfa.php

If you need additional information about a specific chamber of commerce or exchange, you can visit the relevant chamber or exchange's website for precise details.