Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD) Chairman Mahmut Asmali said, “Turkiye is a production center in the automotive and sub-industry as well as machinery, white goods, various textiles and food production.”
Asmali stated that Turkiye differentiated itself positively from the world global economy during the COVID-19 epidemic, especially with its strong industry, qualified manpower, flexible production capacity and strategic location.
Pointing out the importance Turkiye has given to industrial policies, especially in the last 20 years, Asmali said:
“While Turkiye’s share of industry in gross domestic product was 16.9% in 2002, this rate increased to 22.1% in 2022. Unlike previous years, Turkiye has been achieving a great growth momentum with its strong industrial policy, especially in the last 10 years.
In this respect, this is pleasing for the future of our country. Because as you increase the capacity of the manufacturing industry, you both reduce unemployment and your competitiveness in the world comes to the fore.”
“This great leap forward in 20 years is a great success.”
Asmali stated that Turkiye has an overall growth potential and pointed out that while the country’s industry is developing, there are great developments in many areas.
Pointing out that the energy infrastructure has developed and a serious potential and momentum has been achieved in the field of renewable energy, Asmali continued his words as follows:
“After all, you need roads, ports, airports and sea ports to sell what you produce. Turkiye has gained great momentum in this field as well. Our country has become a very large production center, especially in the defense industry. It has now become one of the largest production centers shaping the world.
Turkiye has become a very important production center in the automotive and sub-industry, machinery, white goods, various textile and food production. When we consider all this altogether, this great leap that Turkiye has made in the last 20 years is a great success.”
Reminding that Turkiye was shaken by a major earthquake disaster as it entered 2023, and that it initiated huge construction activities as a result of the earthquake defined as the “disaster of the century”, Asmali noted that the country has the potential to overcome this major disaster with its solid economic, industrial infrastructure and production power.
Mahmut Asmali stated that Turkiye has achieved a large export of $254.2 billion by the end of 2022 and continued as follows:
“While we were focused on the potential and target to further develop our exports in 2023, we were shaken by the February 6 earthquake that affected us all. In fact, we all know the impact of this earthquake on the economy.
We estimate that such a deficit will occur in Turkiye due to investments made in earthquake zones of around 4%. But Turkiye, with its strong economic potential, has the power and capability to heal the wounds in the entire earthquake region. This is not an issue that every country can overcome alone.”
“Turkiye will be among the 10 largest economies in the world in 2050”
Asmali stated that along with the investments made in the field of industry in Turkiye, many innovations have been made that make business life easier, and the speed of doing business in Turkiye has increased significantly.
Emphasizing that Turkiye has made great efforts towards digitalization such as e-commerce and e-government transactions, Asmali said:
“All these developments have increased Turkiye’s share in world trade from very little in 2002 to 1.02% in 2022. Once the structural reforms brought to the agenda with the MTP are completed, Turkiye will be among the 10 largest economies in the world in 2050, as stated in the OECD and World Bank reports. Turkiye has this potential and capacity.
Turkiye has a huge potential with its flexible production capacity, trained manpower, diversity in production, logistics advantages, we are 3-4 hours away from many developed countries, ports, railways and roads. There are structural reforms listed under 7 main headings annexed to the MTP. This includes education, judiciary, financial discipline, disaster preparedness, employment, public finance and public discipline. Therefore, reforms are being prepared under many headings.”
Asmali stated that they believe that with the 5-year 12th Development Plan, Turkiye will be a much more competitive country in the future, with an approach that uses both public resources and the capacities of the private sector more efficiently, and will be a great country with its industry and politics, with a voice and reputation in the world in the “Turkiye Century”.
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz