In order for Turkey, which ranks 17th among the strong economies of the world, to enter the top 5, we have to establish correct relationships based on law. Chinese economy is one of the most important links of this. We should follow China closely because it is one of the actors that will determine the future of the world economy. In order to integrate into the world economy, we have to achieve economic integration with China in a sense. Economy management should determine foreign trade policies with this awareness. One of the factors that determine Turkey's foreign policy is undoubtedly its foreign trade and economic potential.
So how do we do that?
We can only establish the communication between people and the relations between states by thinking analytically. It is necessary to know the other to understand. Understanding to know. For this, it is necessary to do research, know the past and examine the events. The same issue applies to states and those who govern those states.
Knowing the culture of a nation starts with getting to know its people. Without these, a proper and proper relationship cannot be established with that state.
Of course, I write them thinking that you know your own people and culture.
Culture means "land". Every nation takes the culture of production, consumption, working, living together, understanding each other, sharing, eating and drinking from the land where it was born and raised. Having a rich mosaic in this sense, Turkey can establish successful relations with many nations of the world.
For example, if you have an important problem in the Middle East. To solve this, you can assign a task to Mehmet Aslan, the former president of the chamber of commerce, who knows the region very well and has guided Gaziantep's trade life for more than 20 years. Or you can appoint Dr. Asım Güzelbey, former Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, who has served as a bridge in political and commercial relations for many years, as a special representative.
If you have serious problems with USA, you can use the relations of retired ambassador Şükrü Elekdağ, who has represented Turkey in the US for years.
Many developed states in the world, especially the USA, successfully evaluate their experienced names as special representatives.
To appoint Prof Dr Mithat Melen, who successfully represents Turkey in Europe, as a special representative in your US and EU relations. Or, making Mithat an ambassador for social peace or evaluating it in the triangle of Iran, USA and Turkey can bring a lot to Turkey.
Let's not be a society of mediocre
Our country, which has many valuable names like this, unfortunately, does not use its experienced and knowledgeable human capital in the international arena.
But in order to do all these, you need to think analytically. We do not know our own culture, people, savings, values and our qualified and knowledgeable human capital that cannot be measured with money.
Look how the subject is changed while we were trying to figure out how to integrate our economy with China. But we cannot be successful in the world without changing our way of thinking. How do I know? Because the successful ones did so…
The basic condition of seeing the future more clearly and developing strategies is to think analytically. Let's start with reading and understanding the past correctly. Evaluating the events under the conditions of that day, knowing the history, making the correct diagnosis gives people objectivity and a clearer look at events.
A society of the mediocre is destined to remain among the mediocre in the world rankings.
Now the era of "what can we sell to China" should begin in Turkey. The Chinese economy grew by an average of 10 percent per year for 35 years from 1978 to 2013. The growth rate has reached 7 percent, which can be seen as a psychological limit especially for China. The fact that it fell below this level and reached 6 percent in 2018 was described as the new normal in the country. In 2018, the Chinese economy grew 40 times compared to 1980. China, which was the 11th economy in the world in 1990, is today the 2nd largest economy in the world with its gross national product of 14.2 trillion dollars. In 2030, it is claimed to be the world's largest economy. Now, for Turkey, the era of "what can we sell to China" should begin. It should be kept in mind that the Chinese population is old and by 2030 there will be 300 million elderly people. Thinking analytically starts with getting to know the culture of a country and its people for this. This demographic map of China brings great opportunities, especially in terms of tourism. Turkey has a significant foreign trade deficit in our trade with China, which is the second largest economy in the world. In 2018, our exports amounted to 2.9 billion dollars compared to the previous year. In the same period, our imports from China were 20.7 billion dollars. In 2019, our exports to China decreased to 2.5 billion dollars, while our imports increased to 21.8 billion dollars. Turkey's exports to China make up 1.8 percent of our total exports. Imports from China are at the level of 10 percent of total imports. 80 percent of our exports to China are marble and travertines, chrome, borates and other mineral products. Electrical machinery and devices, machinery and devices used in iron, steel and industry branches and data processing machines are the main products in our import. We can export products aimed at final consumers in China, with high added value, and appealing to middle and higher income groups. Among these, all kinds of processed food products, ready-made clothing, fur and leather products, home textiles and carpets, jewelery products, boilers used in heating, bathroom water heaters, radiators, furniture products, especially products that appeal to the high-income group, and baby, child and youth rooms can be sold. It is beneficial for our exporters to participate more intensively in fairs organized by sectors. Of course, the methods of this will change after COVID-19. Although the way of trade differs, the only thing that does not change will be the trade itself.
Geri