Interview: Tuncay Özilhan Is increased competition from foreign companies, which are drawn by demographic growth, squeezing local manufacturers? TUNCAY ÖZİLHAN: Over the past two decades, Turkey has experienced two major economic transformations. First, it became part of the EU’s Customs Union, and second, following the 2001 financial crisis, Turkey transformed itself into a real market economy…
Interview: Binali Yıldırım How will restructuring the ministry enable the federal government to promote greater rail and maritime transport coverage nationwide? BINALI YILDIRIM: The ministry has always had a wide range of responsibilities due to the convergence of transport and communications infrastructure. These responsibilities have created the need for restructuring in order to fulfil our…
Interview: Rövnag Abdullayev, How has SOCAR’s Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) affected the competition to transport Azerbaijani natural gas to Europe? ROVNAG ABDULLAYEV: The way I see it, TANAP is not competing with other projects in the region; it is just an alternative to projects aimed at reducing the natural gas shortages in Turkey and the EU. The aim of this project is to transport…
Interview: Hüseyin Özdilek HUSEYIN ÖZDİLEK: The textiles sector is labour intensive, and because cotton can be speculated on the stock market its price rises artificially. Currently, the price of cotton is distorted by speculation, which is naturally having an effect on supply and demand, and, ultimately, the production of finished goods. In addition, it is impossible for Turkish firms…
Interview: Erman Ilıcak What obstacles face developers in urban renewal? ERMAN ILICAK: Since so many buildings are not earthquake resistant there will be massive renewal in cities vulnerable to earthquakes. The government has passed a bill for city transformation and renovation, and both legally and illegally constructed buildings will be evacuated and demolished under each region’s master…
Interview: Recep Konuk Will greater local manufacturing, mechanisation and new techniques in agriculture lead to consolidation and unemployment? RECEP KONUK: In 2011 agriculture accounted for 8.4% of GDP and 25% of employment. In 2002, those numbers were 10.3% and 35% respectively, so there has been some decline in the role of agriculture. Turkey has a dynamic, fast-growing economy. As a natural…
Interview: Süreyya Ciliv What has Turkcell done to adapt to the intensified price competition in the Turkish market? SUREYYA CİLİV: The Turkish market is quite competitive, particularly since the implementation of mobile number portability (MNP) in late 2008 and the introduction of flat-rate offers in early 2009. Since then, usage minutes have risen significantly, and we have seen average prices…
Interview: K. Gökhan Bozkurt How much new cable is being installed to extend the fibre-optic network nationwide, and what is the timeline for the project? K GOKHAN BOZKURT: Our aim is to reach every corner of the country and provide all citizens with access to the fibre-optic network. With this vision in mind, we invest in all of Turkey’s 81 cities. We constantly renew our infrastructure, both…
Interview: Recep Akda ğ How can the current dispute regarding US access to the Turkish pharmaceuticals market be resolved? RECEP AKDA Ğ: The US, along with 25 other countries, has a tariff schedule of countries exempt from Customs duties. The general system of preferences (GSP) is prepared each year by the US Congress and approved by the president. This year’s list, which includes Turkey, was…
Interview: Zekeriya Yıldırım How can educators assist government efforts to propel Turkey’s economy into the world’s top 10? ZEKERIYA YILDIRIM: Turkey is in a unique situation compared to less-developed emerging economies. It is able to rely on its young population, moderate per capita GDP and high consumer spending as means of achieving economic growth. However, if we cannot educate the school-age…
