The first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) took place on the 28 September 2014 after the Board of Directors has been assigned following the publication of the “Regulation on the Working Procedures and Rules of the Foreign Economic Relations Board and the Business Council” in the Official Journal on the 20 September 2014. IKV Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan has been appointed as the DEİK Chairman at the meeting where the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekçi and Minister of Culture and Tourism were also present.

During the meeting, the tasks have been assigned in order to determine the new Vice Presidents, members Responsible for Accounts and members of the Executive Board. While the representatives of TOBB, TİM, MÜSİAD, TÜSİAD and TMB have been appointed as the Vice Presidents of the Board, Remzi Gür has been nominated as the Member of the Executive Board Responsible for Accounts. In addition to Ömer Cihad Vardan (Chairman), representatives from TOBB, TİM, MÜSİAD, TÜSİAD, TMB, Latif Aral Aliş, Başaran Ulusoy, Rona Yırcalı, Pınar Eczacıbaşı, Çetin Nuhoğlu, Zeynep Bodur Okyay have been also assigned as the members the Executive Board. 

During his speech, the newly appointed DEİK Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan explained that the newly established DEİK would be working towards enhancing Turkey’s position in global economy and improving Turkish companies’ position within the global value chain as well as improving Turkey’s brand as foreseen within the framework of Turkey’s 2023 Vision. Ömer Cihad Vardan stressed that newly formed DEİK would be operating in a transparent and accountable manner and he further added that the transition period will be completed in a short period of time. He also ensured that the current employees of DEIK will be able to work at the newly established DEİK without having to lose their rights.