The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) is the umbrella organization for all of the 364 chambers of commerce in Turkey. As such, TOBB represents the Turkish private sector in multilateral and international institutions, builds relations with foreign counterparts, signs cooperation agreements and mediates between Turkish and foreign companies for peaceful resolution of conflicts.

TOBB is entitled to both hosting foreign delegations visiting our country at high-level and arranging the visits of official Turkish delegations, including businessmen in abroad. In that way, it coordinates the private sector to promote Turkey abroad. TOBB also realizes activities to increase Turkey's commercial relations with other countries by promoting business and investment within the nation.

ICOC participates in activities under TOBB and is free to enter into partnerships with foreign counterparts individually. With its two departments specified on international relations, ICOC is one of the most active chambers in international arena. 

Fairs and International Relations Department: This department is in charge of hosting the foreign delegations visiting our ICOC and organizes bilateral meetings that bring these delegations together with their Turkish counterparts, arranging study visits abroad. It also recruits Turkish companies to participate in international fairs. ICOC also owns the Istanbul World Trade Center, which is the biggest fair ground in the Balkans.

EU and International Cooperation Department: This department is focused on EU affairs, which is one of ICOC?s priorities. Besides informing its members on the developments in this process, ICOC organizes lobbying activities in Europe, especially in Brussels, the capital of the EU. During these activities and meetings with high-ranking EU officials, ICOC representatives promote Turkey?s membership by promoting among decision-makers the positive effects of Turkey in the EU. 

ICOC is also in close collaboration with its foreign counterpart institutions. For example, ICOC and the Madrid Chamber of Commerce partnered to develop the Start Exporting Program. Through this program, ICOC was matched within the ?Developing the Turkish Chambers Program? of TOBB and later extended this program to the U.S. in cooperation with U.S. Chambers of Commerce.  

ICOC maintains memberships with international organizations in which it plays active roles. For instance, ICOC hosted the last General Assembly of the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and assumed the organization?s presidency. Another example is the Subcontracting Exchange, which was founded with a partnership project under the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).