Reflecting on Turkey’s growth

Wednesday, 02 September 2009 10:31

Everyone has a different take on Turkish growth policies. Some say that the focus should be on the economy, while others push for political changes. Turkishtime, a monthly economy and business-culture magazine, asked some of Turkey's most prominent figures a tricky question: “How should Turkey grow?”

Some leading Turkish personalities agree that the only growth forecast for the country will not be economic.

“What would you do if you were Turkey’s economy minister?” was one of the questions that monthly economy and business-culture magazine Turkishtime asked prominent figures ranging from acclaimed writers to the executives of leading companies.

"I, as a person who is not so good with numbers, should not be the finance minister in the first place,” said Elif Şafak, who is an award-winning writer of Turkish descent and the best-selling female author in Turkey. Her growth model would definitely be based on not giving up on democracy, she said.

One of the major troubles in Turkey is an imbalanced distribution of wealth, according to Şafak. That not only creates economic problems but fuels cultural and social troubles as well, she said. A fairer tax system should be adopted, she said, while pointing out the need for vital improvements in the education system as well as deficiencies in equal opportunity.

“We need a structure that should focus on highlighting the merits of people and evaluate them according to their capabilities, instead of allowing for nepotism. That would enable people to rise up in their jobs,” Şafak said.

According to Şafak, democracy should never be set aside in any growth model. “I believe in the importance of the United Nations. One should never forget human rights, freedom of speech and overall freedom. Equal pay for women and pregnancy leave are just two things that we should never give up.”

The black-market economy is also troublesome, she said. “Politicians’ sharp tongues are another problem,” said Şafak. “Male-dominated politics is also problematic. I would love to see more women participating in politics at both local and international levels.”

‘How should Turkey grow?’

Turkey has very qualified human resources, according to Süreyya Ciliv, CEO of Turkcell, the country's largest mobile-phone operator. The real path to growth begins by creating an infrastructure that provides these qualified people with the platform and support to participate in research and development, said Ciliv.

Growth in Turkey can be maintained by looking at economic, political and cultural development as a whole, said Ciliv. “In that respect it is important for all establishments and associations to join hands and work together.”

Turkey’s rapidly growing technology and communications industries are causing significant changes in the country, he said. “Turkey’s communications technologies have been growing faster than the country’s economy. It actually helps the economy’s growth. Turkey’s informatics industry, which used to be worth $8.7 billion 10 years ago, has grown 223 percent to reach $28.1 billion. Some $20.7 billion of that amount was obtained from communications technology,” said Ciliv.

The growth should not only be based on economy. It should also factor in the environment, technology and energy, as well as financial trends, said Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, chairman of Zorlu Holding, one of Turkey’s biggest corporations.

“The real sector needs to be strengthened. That should help with growth as well as with Turkey’s unemployment problem,” said Zorlu. “A further focus on energy, a healthy financial system and macroeconomic stability are the keys to growth,” he said. “In particular, the EU accession process, democratic developments, continuity in economic and social policies and further reforms are a must to obtain sustainable growth,” Zorlu said.

“The troubles in eastern Turkey should also be resolved. A stronger democracy and a tranquil, peaceful environment would help to increase local and international confidence in our country and contribute to our growth.”

“For years I have been repeating myself, saying that the government should not be as involved in the economy,” said Mehmet Kutman, chairman of Global Yatırım, a Turkish company with interests in energy and finance. “I wish that the government would not support any sector. If needed it can support investments that would strengthen our technological progress and infrastructure, but that is about it,”

“I think the biggest bump on the road to growth is that we as population do not like to save. We tend to consume extensively,” said Kutman. “Our education standard is also very variable. That is another trouble. Also, we all need to become more health conscious.”