Turkish business world eyes $200B in exports

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish exporters’ prize goal is to make $200 billion in exports within a few years, the head of a large business association said on Friday.

Over the last five years Turkish exporters boosted their exports from $150 billion to $170 billion, Ismail Gulle, chairman of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM), told the second Istanbul Economy Summit.

"Turkey's GDP rose from $231 billion to $852 billion and exports climbed from $36 billion to $170 billion over the last 16 years thanks to reforms," he added.

He underlined that Turkey needs to create new strategies for sustainable growth and employment.

Ozturk Oran, the chairman of state-run participation bank Vakif Katilim, said Turkish lenders play an important role in structural reforms in the country.

The Turkish banking system's structure is strong, with no risk of collapse, he added.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Binali Yildirim noted Turkey’s place among the world’s top 20 economies.

"We have the ability and political willpower to overcome problems, we have a population of 81 million, one-third of them young, and this is our greatest power," he stressed.

Yildirim also said Turkish businesspeople can invest around the world.

The one-day summit hosted experts, politicians, and academics to discuss several topics under the theme of the emergence of global crises.