Turkish World Vision Conference: Views on Common Development and Middle Corridor

Stating that the Organization of Turkish States has the potential to be the spokesperson and pioneer of a new global architecture with its population of approximately 200 million, its location in the center of Europe and Asia, energy resources, human resources and production capacity, Zorlu said that the organization, together with its observer members, has an economic size reaching 674 billion dollars as of the first quarter of the year.

Expressing that the Turkish world is not only a growing economic geography, Zorlu noted that the region has become one of the strategic centers of attraction with an increasing importance in global production, trade, energy and logistics balances.

Zorlu pointed out the importance of the main theme of the conference, which was held for the second time this year, and said that decisions in the 21st century were made through sound data and analysis, and that the evaluations to be made at the conference would provide important information about the future period.

Stating that common sense is needed to strengthen the economic pillars of the Turkish World Vision and to increase the trade volume and potential to optimal levels, Zorlu said:

"The share of trade between the countries of the Turkic world in their total trade is still just over 7 percent today. It is of course valuable to increase this rate, which was around 3 percent a few years ago. However, when we consider our current economic capacity, we have a responsibility and actually an advantage to increase this to over 10 percent in a short time. Instead of setting targets only on selling goods among ourselves, now is the time to produce together, finance together, transport together, develop technology together and frankly open up to the world together."

Drawing attention to the importance of the Middle Corridor, which is becoming increasingly strategic in global trade, Zorlu stated that this route is important in terms of reaching new markets and reducing global risks.

Stating that the Caspian route will provide a safe and fast transportation line between the East and the West, as well as a stronger connection of the Turkish world to the global economy, Zorlu said that it is important to harmonize the logistics infrastructure, simplify customs procedures and disseminate single window systems.

Zorlu stated that the Middle Corridor should not be considered only as an alternative transportation line extending from China to Europe, and said, "Because the Middle Corridor is not just a railway line, nor is it just a logistics route. The Middle Corridor can turn into an economic development belt with the right policies." he said.

Stating that the world of the future should not be ignored when discussing economic cooperation, Zorlu said that digital integration, artificial intelligence, data-oriented governance, blockchain and financial technologies create a new industrial revolution.

Zorlu said, "And for this reason, our goal should be to implement the digital trade area of ​​​​the Turkish world. It is an obligation for us to deploy trade in the digital field." he said.

Stating that a meeting was held in Astana recently in this context, Zorlu noted that the work of the Union of Chambers of Commerce will continue.

Stating that the Turkish Investment Fund continues its work, Zorlu said that the fund has gathered a relatively significant budget.

Zorlu said, "The Turkish Investment Fund is very important, but we need to create a joint development bank that will enable us to have a financial say in this sector in the world. As Turkey, we have also prepared a study together with our Presidential Finance Office upon the instructions of our President. We have now translated it into the languages of other Turkish states and will present it to the general secretariat of our organization and from there we will send our proposals to other states. Because, in addition to using the budgets we have, we aim for a new credibility and capacity in the world and especially in the Middle East. "We need to be able to provide new loans and support to our businessmen in the construction of the Corridor." he said.