ISTANBUL - Donald J.Johnston, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), said on Monday that primary surplus was 6.5 percent and that there was no reason for direct foreign investment not to come to Turkey.
Johnston met with representatives of private sector in Istanbul and later replied questions of reporters.
Johnston said Turkey was complaining about not attracting foreign investments, stating that they discussed what could be done to attract more direct investments.
When asked how he evaluated decrease in interest rates and inflation rate after coming of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to power as single party, Johnston said many of the structural reforms could not be fulfilled but that political ruling took steps for reforms. Johnston said he thought this would have a positive influence on future.
Johnston said foreign investors were not only interested in political process but the idea of supremacy of law and intellectual property rights. He said every country should make itself attractive stressing that every country has its own advantages.
Replying another question Johnston said Turkish economy was improving and added that primary surplus became 6.5 percent. He said there was no reason for foreign investment not to come to Turkey. Johnston said the reforms which Turkey started were very important in membership process.
Asked about Turkey's deficiencies in this respect, Johnston pointed out that Turkey was one of the few countries having young population, stressing that education should be the fundamental element in Turkey's future.
When journalists reminded Johnston a research of the OECD saying that Turkey ranked the 4th in unemployment and that rate of unemployment gradually increased, Johnston stressed that unemployment was one of the main problems of all countries.
Johnston will continue his meetings in Ankara on Tuesday.
(AY) 12.01.2004