ANKARA: The Turkish government has pressed the launch button for an “aggressive” campaign to give a boost to local industry’s exports to existing and new markets. The government convened an annual ambassadors’ conference in Ankara from Jan. 8-14 , bringing together all of the country’s on-duty envoys serving in more than 150 foreign capitals.
During the conference, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu ordered the ambassadors to cultivate commercial relations with the countries in which they serve, with a view “in particular to the defense industry.” “The message was clear,” one Turkish ambassador said. “We are expected to function, in addition to our standard duties, as defense industry export promotion agencies abroad.” Turkey’s exports have been on a steady rise since 2011 when the government decided to “nationalize” weapon systems and launch several indigenous programs, including helicopters, drones, frigates and corvettes, tanks, missile systems, and a fighter jet.
