Trade minister says Türkiye continues to grow, create jobs, make exports

By Gokhan Ergocun

Touting the country's latest gross domestic product figures, the Turkish trade minister said that Türkiye is continuing to grow, create jobs, and make exports.

Omer Bolat, visiting the country's premier technology and aerospace event TEKNOFEST in the capital Ankara, said the country's GDP growth rate is "not bad" at a time when the world economy and trade have slowed down and as the country continues to struggle with the aftermath of devastating earthquakes from just a few months ago.

Türkiye's economy grew 3.8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2023, beating market expectations, according to data released by the country's statistical authority on Thursday.

Mentioning how the country's economy grew 4% in the first quarter, and 3.8% in the second quarter, Bolat said: "We hope to close the year around about these figures."

On TEKNOFEST, Bolat said the event became a sign of advances and development in the country's defense industry as well as in technology in general.

"It gives Turkish youth great excitement, energy, enthusiasm and hope for the future," he underlined.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, this year’s TEKNOFEST – normally held yearly – in 2023 is taking place in three major cities at different times during the year.

The first iteration of the event this year, in May at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, welcomed 2.5 million visitors – a world record.

Following Ankara, the third iteration this year will be on Sept. 27-Oct. 1 in the Aegean city of Izmir.​​​​​​​