Tuzmen: Decrease In Growth Rate Of World Trade Threatens Economies Of All Countries

CANCUN/ANKARA - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that decrease in growth rate of world trade was threatening economies of all countries.
Tuzmen, who is currently in Cancun for the Fifth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, had meetings with trade ministers of the Netherlands, South Africa, Britain, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Brazil, Algeria, France, Egypt and New Zealand, agriculture ministers of Italy and Japan. He also had bilateral meetings with Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lammy and the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick.
Foreign Trade Undersecretary Tuncer Kayalar and bureaucrats also attended those meetings.
Tuzmen said that decrease in growth rate of world trade was not pleasing and stated that stagnation in world trade affected negatively economies of countries. He added that there was need to take urgent measures to increase growth rate of world trade.
Stating that stagnation in world trade would increase the number of unemployed people, he said that necessary measures should be taken on the issue.
Tuzmen noted that Turkey succeeded in increasing its foreign trade volume although there was a decrease in growth rate of world trade and stated that if stagnation in world trade was removed, Turkey's foreign trade volume would further improve.
Recalling that Turkey's exports increased by 34 percent between January-August 2003 when compared to the same period last year, Tuzmen said that increase in world trade volume would also contribute to Turkey's exports.
(EÖ-Öª) 14.09.2003