SANLIURFA - Ten percent of Turkish population is living abroad, said Yilmaz Uyumaz, the chairman of the Federation of Turkish Young Businessmen in Europe.
Taking the floor in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) meeting of Turkish businessmen living in Europe held in southeastern city of Sanliurfa, Uyumaz indicated that 3.5 million of Turks living in Germany see this country as their second homeland.
According to Uyumaz, there are about 70,000 Turkish employers in European countries, and this number increases by 9 percent every year.
Turkish businessmen in Europe are employing about 370,000 people, he stated.
"So, we are seeking opportunities to make business with the state," Uyumaz said.
On the other hand, GAP Regional Development Administration's Chairman Muammer Yasar Ozgul said that GAP region is not only Turkey's but also Europe's door opening to the Middle East.
"Exports from GAP region were up 312 percent in the last five years, and climbed to 2.2 billion USD in 2005. They are expected to reach 3 billion USD at the end of 2006. The number of employed climbed from 42,000 to 80,000 from 2003 to 2006," he added.