Vice President Yılmaz: “Turkey has transitioned from an 80% externally dependent structure to a structure that is 80% self-sufficient in national and domestic production in the last 20 years.”

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz attended the “Diyarbakır Business World Meeting” program in Diyarbakır. Yılmaz stated, “Without political determination, Turkey would not have reached this point today. In the last 20 years, it has transitioned from a structure that was 80% dependent on foreign sources to one that is 80% national and domestic production. No matter who is disturbed by this, we will continue to develop our strength and our systems.”

At the “Diyarbakır Business World Meeting” program held in a hotel, Vice President Yılmaz wished God’s mercy on the citizens who were martyred in the TUSAŞ attack, expressed condolences to their families and the nation, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Stating that this terrorist act was an action aimed at 85 million people and all 81 provinces, Yılmaz expressed that just as terrorist organizations like ISIS and FETÖ use religion and identities to commit inhumane acts, the PKK terrorist organization exploits Kurdish identity, using it as a mask for inhumane actions.

“Just as ISIS and FETÖ do not represent Muslims, the PKK terrorist organization does not represent Kurds or Kurdish citizens,” said Yılmaz, adding, “Diyarbakır and the Southeast have suffered greatly from terrorist acts. The terrorist actions here have been the biggest obstacle to realizing the potential in this region and to achieving the desired levels in both social and economic life. Today, the consolidation of peace in Diyarbakır creates a very different environment.”

Stating, “We are undergoing rapid development and recovery in every area from agriculture to industry and tourism,” Yılmaz noted, “There are international power centers with designs on this region. They want to weaken all states and societies in this region by creating a design for a region. Today, when we look at the Middle East, no strong state is desired, except for the country currently facing charges of genocide in Gaza. We must see this. But they will not succeed. The Republic of Turkey will continue its path strongly in unity and solidarity. The true owners of this region will win, not those with imperialist goals.”

“Last year, our defense industry exports reached 5.5 billion dollars. This year, it is expected to exceed 6.5 billion dollars, with a target of around 7 billion dollars.”

Yılmaz emphasized that Turkey has made significant strides in its defense industry, stating, “In the past, some countries did not sell certain systems to us even with our money, but now we are producing those products ourselves and exporting them. Last year, our defense industry exports reached 5.5 billion dollars. This year, we expect it to exceed 6.5 billion dollars, with a target of around 7 billion dollars. Hopefully, we will reach that goal too. Without political determination, Turkey would not have reached this point today. In the last 20 years, it has transitioned from a structure that was 80% dependent on foreign sources to one that is 80% national and domestic production. No matter who is disturbed by this, we will continue to develop our strength and our systems. One of our brothers injured in this terrorist act had been treated in the hospital at night, and the next morning when we visited TUSAŞ, we saw that he had come to work. This gave us all great morale.”

Yılmaz stated, “We are here to gather the ideas and demands of the Diyarbakır business community,” adding, “I can express that the Turkish economy is going through a challenging period. We are in a difficult phase for the world and our region. On one hand, there is a global economic environment that has not yet reached historical levels after the pandemic. When we look at the 20-year averages, global average growth is around 3.6%, while it has dropped to about 2.50% in recent years. There is a recovery process, but the old environment has not been recreated yet. On the one hand, there is a struggle against inflation in the world. On the other hand, there are geopolitical adversities in our region. To our north, there is the Ukraine-Russia war, and to our south, there are actions that burn all of our hearts and are being prosecuted for genocide at the International Court of Justice in Gaza and Palestine. On top of that, last year we experienced the largest earthquake disaster in our history. Diyarbakır also had its share in that. Despite all this, our economy continues to grow and create employment.”

“Last year’s budget deficit is much lower than what we had expected.”

Yılmaz pointed out that the budget deficit is much lower than anticipated last year, continuing his speech: “This year, it will decrease to around 4.9. Next year, we hope to reduce our budget deficit to around 3% of the national income. Our current account deficit had risen to around 6% last year. Today, we are at around 1%. Despite these challenging conditions, our exports are increasing, and our imports are decreasing. This reduces our need for foreign currency. Our foreign currency reserves have reached historic high levels in the past year. The gross reserves at our Central Bank are approaching 160 billion dollars. Our net reserves have also reached very high levels.”

“Our target for 2026 is to bring our country back to single-digit figures.”

Yılmaz noted that improvements in all these indicators in the country have reduced the country’s risk premium. He stated, “This also lowers the cost of financing for public and private sector borrowing. All three credit rating agencies have upgraded our ratings. Turkey is the only country experiencing this. I want to express that we are on the right track with macroeconomic policies. At the core of all these policies is the goal of reducing inflation. In the last four months, there has been a decline of over 26% in the inflation rate. Our target for the next year is to bring this figure below 20%. Our target for 2026 is to bring our country back to single-digit figures. There may always be monthly fluctuations. There may be developments that you cannot control. But if you have a program and if your direction is correct, you will eventually reach your goals.”

Stating that Diyarbakır is a very special place, Yılmaz said, “As the government, we have made significant investments and continue to do so. For the transportation sector, we allocated 1 billion 248 million Turkish Liras for the Erzurum-Bingöl-Diyarbakır Project in 2024. For the Diyarbakır-Silvan separation Hani road, we allocated 440 million; for the Diyarbakır-Mardin Project, 295 million; for the Diyarbakır-Siverek-Şanlıurfa Akziyaret Airport Hilvan separation project, 280 million; and for the Diyarbakır-Mardin separation Bismil-Batman Project, 182 million as annual allocations. We have allocations for electrification and signaling in the railway sector. The agricultural sector is very important in Diyarbakır. Last year, we provided 2.4 billion Lira in agricultural support. This year, it continues. Our irrigation projects are very important and prioritized.”

Yılmaz expressed that they are striving to complete the Silvan 1st Phase Project, which has a project cost of approximately 70 billion Lira, in the irrigation sector of the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, stating, “The Silvan Project is the most important project for this region. When all these projects are implemented, we will irrigate 2.4 million acres of land. The terrorist organization has previously carried out very serious attacks on this project. Besides this, we have many projects such as the Kralkızı 1st Phase, Kralkızı Dicle 2nd Phase, Kollu Dere Dam and irrigation, Çermik Castle Independent Projects, which amount to 42 billion Lira. From these, 125,000 hectares will be opened for irrigation. Repairs due to the earthquake are ongoing. We have a project worth 1.5 billion Lira, which we are carrying out. We have a 2.2 billion Lira drinking water project. These are the works we are conducting within the framework of the State Hydraulic Works.”

“Export figures do not suit Diyarbakır. 331 million, this must reach levels expressed in billions of dollars.”

Yılmaz stated that they are conducting studies in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, saying, “We are implementing our Bismil Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. We have allocated 3.3 billion Lira in resources for the construction of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure facilities in the context of post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction in Diyarbakır. We are continuing our studies regarding organized industrial zones. Export figures do not suit Diyarbakır. 331 million, this must reach levels expressed in billions of dollars.”

Yılmaz added, “Important projects are underway in the healthcare sector in Diyarbakır. The investment process continues for 2,195-bed capacity projects, including the 1,000-bed Diyarbakır City Hospital and the 1,000-bed Yenişehir State Hospital. Our Ministry of Culture and Tourism has important projects. The restoration of the Diyarbakır Walls continues. We have a project worth 300 million Lira just for this. Our project for converting Diyarbakır Prison into a museum is ongoing. We have allocated 281 million Lira for this. We are repairing our cultural assets that were damaged in the earthquake.”

Diyarbakır Governor Murat Zorloğlu gave a speech about the economic investments in the city and the current situation.

After the speeches, the program was held behind closed doors. The program was attended by businessmen as well as provincial heads of political parties and AK Party Diyarbakır Members of Parliament Suna Kepolu Ataman, Galip Ensarioğlu, and Mehmet Sait Yaz.