In Turkey Chambers of Commerce and industry are important professional representative bodies and membership is compulsory. The chambers play a very important and active role in the day-to-day life of businesses. These organisations have an integral part to play in the structure of commerce and business and their influence on socio-economic life impacts locally, nationally and internationally. The statutory obligation for all individuals with companies to be a member of a chamber relevant to their activity and region makes Turkish Chambers very powerful semi-public entities.

Their roles include:

• Informing and supporting members with legislation and legislative changes

• To help identify and solve issues relating to doing business in and with Turkey’s private sector.

• Helping to create and maintain a strong local economy

• Promoting the community nationally and internationally

• Providing networking opportunities for local businesses

• To improve business and investment environments domestically and abroad

• Representing businesses in discussions at Government level