Turkey must work like an ant to create masterpieces

Turkish Deputy Minister of Economy Mustafa Sever said on Saturday that "We are aware, as Necip Fazil said, we must 'work like an ant to create masterpieces." Speaking at the 2nd Meeting of Business Development of the Association of Anatolian Businessmen (ASKON), with Anadolu Agency as the media sponsor, Deputy Minister Sever reminded that Turkey ranked the second fastest growing country in the European Union (EU) in 2012. Considering the Maastricht criteria, Turkey showed a far better performance than many EU countries during the global economic crisis as the Turkish employment figures rose by 5 million while the EU figures indicate 4 million people losing jobs within the last 4 years. Sever stated that Turkey estimates an export growth rate of nearly 5 per cent in 2013, stressing the highest level of cooperation between public and private sector in Turkish history. "These achievements are significant but not enough. We still have a long way to run. We value developing entrepreneurship within institutions like ASKON. Entrepreneurship means looking at the world and seeing not only the threats but also the opportunities. It is viewing the world as it should be rather than what it is and having the required self confidence, resolution and resources to make these two worlds closer," he noted. Sever highlighted the state subsidies and the newly-established system of investment incentive legislation, attracting both domestic and foreign investors. Citing Turkish poet, novelist, philosopher and activist Necip Fazil Kisakurek, Sever remarked that "We are aware that we have to 'work like an ant to create masterpieces. We are aware that ideas are worth more than money." ASKON President Mustafa Koca touched upon the economic growth due to the current political power, mentioning "What we need to do to surpass the growth target in the second decade, so to say, to climb the ladder is to determine "how to provide added value?" to the latest technology together with our universities, businessmen and the political power. Koca thanked the Ministry of Economy and AA for their contribution to the 2nd Business Development Meeting of ASKON. The meeting ended with the presentation of plaques and the stand opening of the 2nd Business Development Meeting of ASKON by Deputy Minister of Economy Sever and ASKON President Koca.