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Turkish television series are watched by 800 million people worldwide every day, creating an important soft power advantage that boosts tourism, gastronomy and exports, Trade Minister Omer Bolat stated on Saturday, Feb. 21.
"Turkish series are watched by 800 million people around the world every day. This creates an important soft power for Türkiye. It also contributes to tourism, gastronomy, and our exports," Bolat told attendees at the Traditional Iftar Program organized by the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) in Istanbul.
The minister highlighted the global reach of Turkish cultural products as part of the country's broader economic achievements over the past two decades.
Bolat said Türkiye now has a $1.6 trillion economy, with per capita income increasing more than 5.5 times over the past 23 years.
"Türkiye has reached a $400 billion export volume. As you know, we closed last year with $273.4 billion in goods exports and $122.2 billion in services exports. We are working hard with you to achieve the $400 billion target next year," Bolat said.
The minister noted that Turkish industry ranks in the top five globally for some products and in the top 10 for others.
"Türkiye is first in Europe for steel production, second in the world for international contracting, and fourth globally in tourism," he said.
He added that 1.6 million health tourists visited Türkiye last year, while $285 billion in international investment has flowed into the country over the past 23 years, with 88,000 international companies now operating in the Turkish economy.
The minister emphasized that trade diplomacy is among the Trade Ministry's most important activities, with Türkiye managing economic relations with 200 countries.
"We are working to develop, renew, and update the Customs Union with the European Union. The European Commission wants to advance relations with Türkiye," Bolat noted.
"We are conducting intensive diplomatic activities to keep Turkish industrial products within the European project and increase their export capabilities," he added.
"We are pushing for Turkish companies to also benefit from European defense funds. We are making great efforts in this regard," he said, noting that Ankara's economic strength, industrial power, defense capabilities, military strength and technological capabilities are "received with great respect" in Europe.
"Turkish industrial products, defense industry products, the Turkish construction sector, Turkish tourism, and Turkish food products are a source of great prestige in the world due to their quality," he said.
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