Ankara’s commerce chamber elects new head

ANKARA

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu (C) speaks to the press before the election at the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) on Dec. 3, while candidates for the chairmanship of ATO, Gürsel Baran (L) and Osman Gökçek (R) look on. Baran was elected as the new chairman of ATO. / AA Photo

Gürsel Baran has been elected as the new chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) on Dec. 3. 

In an election at ATO on Dec. 3, the parliamentary of the organization elected Baran as their new head. 

Baran won the election with 100 votes over Osman Gökçek, the son of Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek, who received 86 votes.

Baran said in his first speech after the release of the election results that they would put forth an emergency action plan next week and start working immediately mainly to overcome the negative effect of the failed coup attempt. 

“We want to see all of our committees to work actively. Outside our chamber area, we will also work vigorously to increase the number of foreign flights from Ankara. Another key project for us will be for boosting health tourism,” he added. 

The election was held after ATO’s former chairman, Salih Bezci, resigned on Oct. 27.