“We are one of the few countries which have stably maintained its economic growth despite the pandemic. We ranked first among the G20 countries with our growth rate of 11.4 percent last year,” Erdoğan said.

Congratulating the award-winning individuals, organizations and companies, Erdoğan said: “On behalf of my country, my nation and myself, I offer my gratitude to all our companies which work, think and produce for Türkiye’s future, which make breakthroughs with their original ideas. I thank everyone who contributed to the Türkiye Innovation Week, which have brought together the leading figures in innovation.”

“Türkiye has risen to the champions league in the defense industry”

“I believe the events, which will be held here under the theme of ‘the New Century of Innovation’, will open up new horizons for us,” Erdoğan said. “The Innovation Week, held under a different theme every year, demonstrates both Türkiye’s rich experience, know-how and potential, and our companies’ accomplishments often despite limited means. With every success story shared here, we witness once again the unyielding, steel will of our nation.”

Noting that Turkish companies overcame all the obstacles thanks to their conviction and persistently marched towards their goals, Erdoğan said: “In fact, our country was not even on the map in many areas up until 5-10 years ago, but today, Turkish companies have reached an exemplary position, where they are referenced to and closely followed. Particularly, Türkiye has risen to the champions’ league in defense industry.”

Stating that the number of defense projects rose from 62 to over 757 in the past 20 years, Erdoğan said: “We have increased the budget of our defense projects from $5.5 billion to over $75 billion, including the projects in tender process. Our total defense industry exports were $248 million back then. Inshallah, we will surpass $4 billion this year.”

Underscoring that Türkiye is among the top 3-4 countries in the world in the design, production and sale of UAVs, President Erdoğan said: “We have achieved all these not with others’ support, but despite overt and covert embargoes, threats, blackmails and pressures. Merely 20 years ago, we were 70-80 percent externally-dependent in this field. By patiently working together with the public and private sectors, by producing and not giving up in the face of differences, we have completely reversed this picture.”

“We plan to increase our domestic oil production to 100 thousand barrels per day”

Noting that Türkiye’s discovery of 540 billion-cubic-meters natural gas reserve in the Black Sea by utilizing its own seismic research and drilling vessels ushered in a new era, Erdoğan said: “We can conduct our oil and natural gas exploration activities inside and outside our borders without needing anyone’s help. As our efforts to include the gas in the Black Sea in our national system, good news have recently been coming from our various provinces regarding oil. In the next year, we plan to increase our domestic oil production to 100 thousand barrels per day.”

Recalling the inauguration of Togg’s cutting-edge production facility in Gemlik on October 29, Erdoğan said: “Togg’s production team describes it as ‘smart device.’ Togg’s tests are ongoing right now. Inshallah, we will begin to see Togg, which will be a source of pride for Türkiye and the Turkish industry, on our roads in a few months.

“Türkiye got through the pandemic with minimum damage because of its strong infrastructure”

Underlining that Türkiye got through the pandemic, which deeply shook the world including the developed countries, with minimum damage because of its strong healthcare and production infrastructure, Erdoğan said: “Türkiye did not stop the engine in its economy in those painful and difficult days when people could not get out of their homes due to restrictions, store shelves were empty for weeks in Western countries, even healthcare workers, let alone ordinary citizens, could not get masks, production came to a halt in various locations due to the breakdowns in the supply chain.”

Noting that Türkiye kept adding new ones to its investments, including its mega projects, while even the Western countries paused their public investments, Erdoğan said: “We have both encouraged and provided all kinds of support to our companies to keep producing, trading and providing jobs. Our companies, feeling the state’s support during their difficult days, have achieved praise-worthy accomplishments in turning the crisis into an opportunity by working, producing, finding new markets, developing new products. We see its positive effects on many fundamental data, including export numbers, growth and employment rates.”

“We will make Türkiye one of the top 10 economies in the world”

“We are one of the few countries which have stably maintained its economic growth despite the pandemic. We ranked first among the G20 countries with our growth rate of 11.4 percent last year,” Erdoğan said.

“We will determinedly continue our efforts until we have made Türkiye one of the top 10 economies in the world,” Erdoğan underlined.

Highlighting that Türkiye has numerous advantages such as production diversity, high-quality infrastructure and human resources, capability to export to anywhere across the world, Erdoğan said: “The balanced, fair and peaceful policies, our country pursues with regard to the Russia-Ukraine war, have boosted the interest in Türkiye. Thanks be to Allah, we are in a comfortable position while the food and energy crisis affects everyone.”

Stating that Türkiye stands out in the quest for alternatives to the Asia-centered production and supply network, Erdoğan said: “We can turn all these advantages into opportunities by opening to new markets, finding new customers, and by increasing the number of the value-added products in our export basket.” (ILKHA)