TOBB structure under spotlight following referendum silence

The debate was first ignited by Adnan Dalgakıran, chairman of the Machinery Promotion Group (MTG), when he said TOBB should not have a large budget but rather be made a symbolic organization with limited authority, arguing that its present state obstructs the development of the business world and civil society in Turkey. Dalgakıran’s criticism was initially rebuffed by TOBB Vice President Murat Yalçıntaş, who also serves as the president of the İstanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO), but later received strong support from leading exporters who invited TOBB to engage in self-criticism.

Yalçıntaş responded to Dalgakıran’s criticism in a strongly worded statement and asserted that it is thanks to TOBB’s effectiveness that the voice of the business world is being heard in Turkey, adding that Dalgakıran’s remarks were “unfortunate.” Speaking to Today’s Zaman, İstanbul Exporters Union (İİB) President Zekeriya Mete and İTO assembly member Fatih Mehmet Oruç, however, endorsed both Dalgakıran’s criticisms and his right to voice them. “Every member of every vocational union should be able to openly express his or her thoughts. Their approach may be right or wrong, but there should be no institution that cannot be criticized in civilized societies,” Oruç said.

Mete touched on TOBB’s wealth and said it does not take steps that are in the interest of businessmen. “There is no limit to the amount of money accumulated here and the chambers of commerce. Where are you using that money? Explain,” he said, adding that TOBB should restructure itself. “This is because it has become a huge economic power but does not take steps in the interests of businessmen,” he explained.

Mete also reacted to TOBB President Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu’s stance vis-a-vis the upcoming historic referendum on the proposed package of 26 constitutional amendments to take place on Sept. 12. He said Hisarcıklıoğlu does not represent TOBB members’ feelings and preferences. “The president should voice members’ feelings and thoughts and represent them rather than himself. He should take the initiative and do something for the good of the country,” Mete said.

Turkey’s business world, including many members of TOBB, has shown strong support for the reform package. Mete also said the proposed changes will accelerate the Turkish economy’s growth and integration with the rest of the world.

Oruç had a similar criticism for Hisarcıklıoğlu’s silence about the widely hailed constitutional amendment package, formulated to improve Turkey’s democracy, expand freedoms and ensure better respect for human rights in the country. He also said the indifference exhibited by TOBB’s management towards anti-democratic moves and interventions in politics in Turkey are “unacceptable.” He invited TOBB to review the mistakes it made over the past couple of years.

$3 billion in TOBB funds questioned

A report published in the Referans daily on Thursday also indicated that leading Turkish exporters are critical of TOBB practices. According to the newspaper, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Vice President Mustafa Çıkrıkçıoğlu questioned what TOBB does with its vast wealth while İstanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Union (İTHİB) Chairman İsmail Gülle argued that there is a rift between the TOBB leadership and its members.

“There is talk today that TOBB has amassed $3 billion in wealth. Everyone should be able to question who benefits from this money. Restructuring TOBB should also be opened to discussion. This in unavoidable,” the paper quoted Çıkrıkçıoğlu as saying. Gülle, according to Referans, is also critical of TOBB’s wealth as well as the discrepancy between the views of its management and its members over certain issues, including the approach to the proposed constitutional amendments.

“There is a rupture between TOBB and its members. The head and the body are going in different direction. We are hearing complaints that TOBB does not produce any solutions to problems brought before it by members. It is the most powerful institution in the business world, but this power’s effectiveness and efficiency are now disputed. Most importantly, TOBB has to engage in serious self-criticism. No one will benefit from ignoring that. It now controls huge amounts of money like a financial institution. It buys real estate, and constructs plazas and hotels. It needs to be examined if it is right for such a large amount of money to be held by an institution. That those at the top have that much money while those at the bottom are hungry is increasing the number of questions being asked,” Gülle was quoted as saying by Referans.

Foreign Trade Minister Zafer Çağlayan was the latest to join the debate over TOBB. At a press briefing yesterday, Çağlayan, who is also a former TOBB vice president, spoke out against Dalgakıran’s remarks and said he should have made that criticism among the inner circles rather than making it in front of reporters.