Terror report from AKP's Nihat Zeybekçi: 'The cost of terror is 3 trillion dollars'

Nihat Zeybekçi, the AKP's deputy chairman responsible for the economy, stated in a report he prepared regarding the economic dimension of the "Terror-Free Turkey" process that the economic cost of terrorism over 41 years is approximately 3 trillion dollars.

In the study, which covers 26 provinces in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions, a 55-question survey was administered to a total of 1,105 institutions at the provincial and district levels, including chambers of industry and commerce, commodity exchanges, and unions of tradesmen and artisans. Zeybekci reported that the data obtained from meetings with chambers, associations, foundations, opinion leaders, and business world representatives were compiled into a report.

According to Zeybekci, support for the process in the region increases when viewed through the lenses of prosperity, economy, development, employment, and peace. Stating that support reaches 90 percent when information is provided in these areas, Zeybekci pointed to Van as one of the study's notable examples.

Noting that Van is Turkey's 21st largest city in terms of population with approximately 1 million 200 thousand residents, Zeybekci said that despite this, it ranks 81st in gross domestic product per capita at the 6 thousand dollar level. Zeybekci argued that the city has been unable to utilize its capacity due to terrorism, despite its young population and potential in livestock and solar energy.

ANNUAL LOSS ESTIMATED AT 75 BILLION DOLLARS

According to the calculations in the report, Turkey's economic loss over 41 years corresponds to an annual average of 75 billion dollars. Zeybekci stated that if this resource had not been lost, Turkey would be at a very different point today.

The report includes an assessment that with said resources, additional employment could have been provided for approximately 4 million people, and that 143 Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plants, 1,000 Yusufeli Dams, 750 Atatürk Dams, or 2,000 Osmangazi Bridges could have been built. The report also included comparisons stating that a high-speed train line could have been built 714 times between Istanbul and Ankara.

Zeybekci expressed that if terrorism were to end, Turkey could have an additional 750 billion dollars in resources over the next 10 years, which would mean an additional 75 billion dollars in annual opportunities that could be used in many areas, including industry, education, transportation, health, and for retirees.

Arguing that the process would affect not only the 26 provinces in Turkey but also Iraq and Syria, Zeybekci said that with the establishment of an environment of trust and peace in the region, new opportunities would emerge in the fields of economy, agriculture, livestock, industry, and labor.

It was stated that the second part of the report prepared by Zeybekci contains evaluations and suggestions regarding the Medium-Term Program, which is expected to be announced in September.

News Source: 12punto