Turkish exports to hit new record in 2021: President

ANKARA

Turkish exports will hit a record $200 billion this year, the country's president said on Tuesday.

"Turkey's annual economic growth rate of 7% in the first quarter of 2021 bolstered our expectations for the rest of the year," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a video message to the Qatar Economic Forum 2021.

Pointing to global economic figures that illustrated the extent of the fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Erdogan said the world's least developed and developing countries had been "left to their fate."

"We witness the same carelessness displayed on vaccines," he asserted, adding that global economic recovery would not be possible unless vaccines and drugs are made available to all countries in a fair way.

A Turkish-developed COVID-19 vaccine is expected be available for use by late 2021, Erdogan said, adding: "I'd like to share the good news that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Turkey will hopefully be the vaccine of all humanity, as well as our nation."

Erdogan noted that while the pandemic threatens economies, it has also opened windows of opportunity. Throughout the ordeal, Turkey has shined not only in health care but also in the fields of production, logistics, public security, employment and social support.

Turkey has begun to distinguish itself with its strategic location uniting three continents in the search for alternatives to the Asian-based production network, he added.