Addressing senior executives of US-based firms during an online meeting, President Erdoğan said: “I believe that we, together with your support, will make Turkey, which is the heart of three continents, a global production and technology hub.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed senior executives of US-based firms during an online meeting.
“NONE OF THE SHORTCOMINGS EXPERIENCED BY MANY COUNTRIES TOOK PLACE IN TURKEY”
Drawing attention to sharp recessions caused by the coronavirus pandemic across the world, President Erdoğan underscored that none of the shortcomings, setbacks in supply chains, or security weaknesses which were experienced by many countries during the pandemic took place in Turkey, and said: “Two 1,008-bed emergency hospitals, which we inaugurated in a record time, and the city hospitals, which we put into service by public-private partnership, have assumed critical roles during the pandemic in particular. Turkey has differentiated itself positively not only in the field of healthcare during the pandemic but also in the fields of investment, employment, production, logistics, public security and social aids as well.”
“WE ACHIEVED THE SECOND BIGGEST GROWTH RATE IN G20 AFTER CHINA”
Underlining the windows of opportunity opened before Turkey during the pandemic, President Erdoğan stated: “With its industry, production capacity, competitive prices, qualified labor force, geographical location and strong infrastructure, Turkey’s name has further come into prominence in the pursuit of an alternative to Asia-based production network. Thanks to the efforts of our private sector and the supports provided by our state as well as to the dynamic pandemic measures, our economy closed 2020 with growth. With 1.8%, we achieved the second biggest growth rate in G20 right after China. Also, we were one of the G20 countries with the biggest rise in industrial production during the same period. Despite the steep economic recession in our traditional export markets and the reduction in foreign demand, we achieved an export figure of 170 billion dollars. During the same period, the trade volume between Turkey and the US exceeded 21 billion dollars, increasing by 4%.”
“TURKEY ATTRACTED NEARLY 8 BILLION DOLLARS IN DIRECT INVESTMENTS”
Also drawing attention to some figures in 2021, President Erdoğan said: “Our industrial production increased by 12.3% year-on-year in the first quarter. Despite the ambiguities caused by the pandemic, we monitor a significant increase in the demand for making investment in Turkey as well. In 2020 when the international direct investments decreased by 42 per cent, Turkey managed to attract nearly 8 billion dollars in direct investments. The total direct investments of the US in Turkey increased to 13 billion dollars and the investments of Turkish companies in the US reached 7.2 billion dollars.”
Thanking all the US companies which have confidence in Turkey and the Turkish economy, President Erdoğan noted: “I believe that we, together with your support, will make Turkey, which is the heart of three continents, a global production and technology hub.”
“WE NEED A SINCERE APPROACH TO ACHIEVE OUR $100-BILLION TRADE VOLUME TARGET”
President Erdoğan also pointed to the significant potential of cooperation between Turkey and the US in a wide range of issues, including Syria, Libya, the fight against terror, energy, trade and investments, President Erdoğan went on to say: “We need a sincere and respectful approach based on mutual interests and values in order to achieve our $100-billion trade volume target. Such steps as imposing additional tariffs on steel and aluminum, removing Turkey from the Generalized System of Preferences and putting anti-dumping duties on Turkish-origin goods do not befit our relations. We expect the US to act in a more constructive manner regarding these issues.”
Also recalling US President Joe Biden’s remarks on 1915 events, President Erdoğan said: “Although the statement he made has put an extra burden on our relations, I believe that the meeting I will hold with Mr. Biden at the NATO Summit will herald a new era.”
