The Turkish Economy

[Colwyn]

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes what it is pleased to call "killer facts" about the Turkish economy. It reads rather like an election manifesto for the AKP. Some highlighted facts are:

Turkey's Economy in Europe
3rd largest footwear manufacturer
2nd largest manufacturer of buses
1st largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles
1st largest manufacturer of home appliances/white goods
1st largest manufacturer of TV sets

Turkey's Economy in the World
7th for fruit and vegetable production
7th for clothing exports
6th for textile exports
6th country for tourist visits
6th city for tourist visits (Istanbul)
5th for shipbuilding
4th for mega-yacht construction
2nd for engineering contracting

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/turkey-latest-killer-facts-about-the-economy/turkey-latest-killer-facts-about-the-economy

[KKOB]

The only country to have a loss of power to 79 of it's 81 provinces.

[Colwyn]

Yep, a dip in production across Turkey today. I bet driving around Istanbul without traffic lights is even more interesting than usual. But they won't be going anywhere by tram or metro.

[KKOB]

1st largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles

Hmmmm..............According to other sources China is, followed closely by India.

[Colwyn]

Small problem with that KKOB - China and India are not in Europe. For most purposes Turkey is.

[JohnF]

The FCO have seriously phucked up here, where on earth did they get those stats from?

Just checked a few and they bear no relation to these figures.  I think you may be closer to the truth than you realise Colwyn, it does sound like a pre election bit of bumph from the AK Parti!

Maybe there is an alternative list the FCO should think about where Turkey comes up close to the top: human rights, freedom of speech, imprisoned journalists, local and national government corruption, women's rights, honour killings...

JF

[Colwyn]

The FCO have seriously phucked up here, where on earth did they get those stats from?

Perhaps that's what "killer" facts means.

OR

This is a "Report by British Consulate General Istanbul." Perhaps they've gone native and are quoting AKP leaflets?

I am happy enough with some of the statements. Turkey is clearly the leading European manufacturer of TVs and white goods. Other stuff like contracting I don't really know about.

[KKOB]

Small problem with that KKOB - China and India are not in Europe. For most purposes Turkey is.

Part of Turkey may well be in Europe, but Turkey isn't in the EU, and I don't think it ever will be.

Now that VAG owns MAN and Scania I don't believe that Turkey is the biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer in Europe.

Anyway, let's not fall out over some duff info that the lads at the FCO have supplied eh ?   

[JohnF]

I am happy enough with some of the statements. 

As am I.  There are truths in there, however I noticed in the "further information" that there were no references to back up the data.   Leaves it all a bit of a "snow job". 

Ex colleague (Turkish banking lawyer) found it amusing.  I suspect he's going to use some it for prospective clients as its a better PR/Marketing document than the one he already uses.

JF