Erdogan Sets $800 Billion National Income Target at World Economic Forum

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told attendees at a World Economic Forum Middle East session in Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday that Türkiye aims to reach a national income of 800 billion USD by 2012.

Speaking at a working lunch devoted to Türkiye, Erdogan noted that when his Justice and Development Party (AKP) took office four years ago, the country's national income stood at roughly 180 billion USD. He said it has since grown to approximately 350 billion USD.

Erdogan attributed the economic gains to expanded democracy, greater freedoms, privatization, and rising foreign investment over the preceding three years. He also described Türkiye as a geographic and cultural meeting point between continents and civilizations.

The prime minister highlighted an ongoing initiative he is co-leading with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, called the Alliance of Civilizations. He said the project's findings would be presented to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan along with a public declaration. Erdogan argued that shared universal values make cooperation across civilizations achievable.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.