VIENNA - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said on Monday that industrial development was the most important development in fight against poverty.
Guler delivered a speech in the general assembly of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) which started in Vienna.
Stating that UNIDO's studies in international field and for reaching millenium development targets were very important, he said that UNIDO's activities should focus on underdeveloped countries. Guler stressed that developed countries should transfer technology to underdeveloped ones.
Guler who informed participants about hydrogen energies technology center which was decided to be set up in Istanbul said that it would be a model for transfer of technology. Guler called on all countries to participate in studies of the center.
Concerning relations between Turkey and UNIDO, Guler said that Turkey became an important partner for UNIDO in international cooperation. Guler said that relations between Turkey and UNIDO should be further improved at bilateral and regional levels.
Touching on projects in Turkish Republics with the cooperation of UNIDO, Guler said that they developed a joint project with UNIDO for development of small and medium scale enterprises. He said that under this project, business and investment development units were set up in Bishkek and Tashkent.
Guler said that a similar project was still continuing in Azerbaijan.
Stating that Turkey was in favor of further development of relations with UNIDO, he said that new ways should be found for improvement of cooperation fields.
The tenth general assembly of UNIDO will last till December 5.
Guler will return to the country this evening.
A delegation comprising of officials of State Planning Organization, Industry and Trade Ministry and Turkish Cooperation and Development Administration Chairmanship (TIKA) headed by Turkey's Permanent Representative to U.N. Aydin Sahinbas will participate in other sessions of general assembly of UNIDO.
(EÖ-AY) 01.12.2003