According to a report by Özlem Ermiş Beyhan for Dünya: universities, industry and Organized Industrial Zones in high-potential Anatolian provinces such as Karaman, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Adana and Gaziantep are working together to develop technology. Young people who relocate to these cities with incentives like free housing take advantage of remote work and help carry out technological projects across Anatolia.
Prof. Çelebi said, “People want clarity and trust. Businesspeople who want to make investment decisions are having difficulty making those decisions right now.” The technologies developed in the provinces together with young talent are strengthening both our industry and exports. Prof. Işın Çelebi’s vision for Turkey is summed up in her remark that “with the spirit of the War of Independence, Turkey needs a new development revolution.”
The real issue is stability
“Turkey has two crucial resources: water and human capital. We must use both well,” Prof. Çelebi said, adding: “The main issue is stability. When you look at the economy today, there is uncertainty and a lack of trust. People who want to invest demand confidence. Businesspeople considering investments in Anatolia are currently finding it hard to decide.
I know Anatolia well; I travel there and meet many producers and industrialists. For example, agriculture faces serious future concerns. World prices have risen and the costs of diesel, fertilizer and pesticides have surged. Anatolian manufacturers and entrepreneurs want stability. I believe Turkey needs a disciplined economic policy.
The public sector must play an active role in the economy, but that role should be focused on oversight. Parliament must have oversight powers, and the separation of powers should ensure that the legislative, executive and judicial branches check one another. That is why the rule of law is so important. Turkey needs systemic coherence.”
Young people should be encouraged
Çelebi added the following in another statement:
“To launch a new development drive, Turkey must retain its talented young minds. We should encourage a reverse brain drain to Anatolia by offering incentives such as free housing in regional centers. Policy measures should make it attractive for the youth concentrated in big cities to return to their hometowns. Remote work makes this increasingly possible.
We must harness the country’s entrepreneurial energy. For instance, Karaman is a highly productive city that employs around 5,000 workers from outside and hosts significant investments in the food industry. Cities like Kayseri, Karaman, Konya, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Mardin have tremendous development potential. We have more than 200 universities; we must transform them into institutions that produce, perform R&D and develop projects. Universities should be closely integrated with Anatolian industry.
Technology centers should be developed inside Organized Industrial Zones. Space must be made for entrepreneurship. Young people could move with their families—for example to Karaman—develop new technologies in an OSB and also teach at the local university. The country needs an enthusiasm similar to what Mustafa Kemal inspired during the War of Independence.”
On the election
Emphasizing the election and the youth, Çelebi said:
“All of Turkey is waiting for the election. Some 6.4 million young voters will cast ballots for the first time. They want Turkey to be able to compete with Europe in the future. As a country, we must prepare the infrastructure for this young population.”
Minimum wage will reach 10,000 TL
Former Economy Minister Prof. Çelebi expects another increase in the minimum wage in March. “In my view it will be raised to around 10,000 TL in March,” she said, stressing the importance of the rise: “The share of national income received by low-income groups used to be 34%; that share has fallen to 25%. This is an incredible decline in income and it endangers social peace.”
On inflation
Prof. Çelebi also addressed inflation. She warned, “After the election, Turkey must engage in a disciplined, multifaceted fight against inflation. Turkey cannot continue with high inflation. Reducing headline figures alone does not resolve the cost-of-living problem. The search for solutions should not be piecemeal; otherwise the problem will persist.”
What about Turkish-lira policies?
“The period until the election is full of uncertainty. It seems everyone is debating what that uncertainty will bring. How long can the lira-focused policy continue? How much further can exchange rates be fixed? How productive is a system that incentivizes imports while penalizing exports? What will happen to brain drain?” Çelebi said these questions worry citizens, while noting that solutions do exist.
After the election
Former Economy Minister Prof. Dr. Işın Çelebi believes Turkey will face a difficult period after the elections. She explained: “The months following the election will not be enough to restore 2023. It will require effort through the end of 2024. Regardless of the election outcome, implementing a stability program is essential. The budget no longer balances income and expenditures, and the ratio of exports covering imports has fallen below 70%.”
Foreign exchange issue
Çelebi stated, “An export-led growth model is the right approach for Turkey. Our foremost issue is foreign exchange. If you cannot secure sufficient foreign currency, if you do not open opportunities for foreign-exchange earning services—or worse, if you block them—you create serious problems. An export-based growth strategy requires alignment with international trade.
This also means boosting competitiveness and productivity. Increasing the role of technology in production is vital: today technology accounts for about 3% of our production; that should be raised to 15%. We are all on the same ship, but the ship is heading the wrong way,” she concluded, outlining her views on foreign exchange and the economy.