Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the Second Turkish-Arab Economic Forum in Istanbul in June 2006, calling on nations to seize opportunities that advance global peace and stability, warning that failure to do so risks spreading terrorism worldwide.
Erdoğan argued that countries clinging to outdated production models can no longer keep pace with global development, and that economic interdependence strengthens regional cooperation. He said a new era in the movement of goods, services, and capital brings fresh opportunities despite its challenges.
The prime minister highlighted Türkiye's recent economic gains, citing a growth rate of 8 percent, a GDP of 360 billion USD, and a foreign trade volume of 190 billion USD, which he said had made Türkiye the 17th largest economy in the world.
Erdoğan outlined a four-part reform agenda: sustaining macro-economic balance, stabilizing monetary and foreign exchange markets, restructuring the banking sector, and accelerating job creation through growth. He noted significant changes in agriculture, social security, energy, and telecommunications, as well as an accelerated privatization drive.
Stressing the importance of Arab-Türkiye commercial ties, Erdoğan said trade and investment between the two sides would support stability and prosperity across the region, and he encouraged foreign business leaders to invest in Türkiye.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.