ISTANBUL
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister for economy Ali Babacan has said Turkey should focus on the markets in Middle East and Africa as much as Europe since the sales of Turkish goods to those countries had increased.
Babacan attended "EVTEKS-Istanbul Home Textile Fair" at CNR EXPO in Istanbul and said the EVTEKS-Istanbul Home Textile Fair was the biggest fair in the world.
"These fairs are the best examples showing how much Turkey and Turkish home textile have developed," said Babacan adding, "We have proved how a country keeps on succeeding by working hard and adapting to the changing world."
Stating the textile sector in Turkey was not the same as it was 10 years ago, Babacan said, "We are not anymore admiring the products at the fairs organized in other countries. We say to ourselves that we can do much better than those products displayed at the fairs."
Babacan said more focus should be given to technological products in textile sector while at the same time thinking on which products appeal most to the consumers.
Pointing to the European economic crisis in 2008-2009, Babacan said, "We need to realize that the European markets will not be the same as before."
"We do not expect growth in European markets although we can get more of the existing markets. Now, Turkey sells goods to Middle East and Africa as much as it sells to Europe, thus we should focus more on the markets in Middle East and Africa," he said.
-Turkey feels relieved after paying off IMF debts-
Babacan reminded that Turkey had been in debt to International Monetary Fund (IMF) until May 14, adding "Thank God, now we are relieved after paying off IMF debts."
Babacan said the process of getting into debts to IMF started in 1994 immediately after the economic crises on the 5th of April the same year.
Emphasizing that the stability and reliability played key roles in economic prosperity, Babacan said, "If the growth in Turkey had been beyond control, we could have faced with unemployment. Turkish people look to the future with confidence."
