G-20

On June 7, just 67 days from now, Turkey will go to the polls in what many in Ankara regard as one of the most crucial elections for the future of the country. In a weeks? time, all political parties will have to submit their lists of parliamentary candidates to the Supreme Election Board (YSK) and will gear up their election campaign.

Turkey?s current $11,000 GDP per capita will rise to $25,000 by 2023 if the country swiftly adopts the presidential system, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has said, claiming the development pace of the country has slowed down because of the plurivocality in the administrative system.

Turkish Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Çelik has called on G-20 states to turn their words into actions and work to reduce poverty globally.

Businesspeople want to see the removal of trade barriers as well as more participation from small and medium-scaled enterprises (SMEs) in the global supply chain, according to a survey by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Corruption is the world?s biggest issue. According to the OECD, the cost of bribery to the world economy is $1 trillion; add environmental and social destruction to this heavy cost.

Some countries are extremely reactive to corruption; others do not lift a finger. 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) regional head of Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has lauded Turkey for its commitment to sustainable development in the region, adding Turkey is one of the important partners in the region, particularly in the area of sustainable and inclusive growth.

The cost of bribery and its impact on economic growth is huge, Nicola Bonucci, head of legal affairs at the Organization for Co-operation and Development, said on March 6.

"What is clear is that whatever the sector we are talking about, the costs are huge," Bonucci said, speaking at the G-20 conference presided over by Turkey in Istanbul.

The world economy and financial markets have been growing for the last 50 years, but decreasing real wages  relative to GDP is unacceptable and unsustainable, said the board member of Turkey's Koç Holding and the current B-20 Employment Task Group Coordinator Ali Koç.

The timing of a lengthy meeting between Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan late Feb. 25 has led to speculation suggesting Babacan resigned from his post after President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an continued his criticism of the Central Bank.

Yet, Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z ruled out such move.

Ali Koç, the coordinator in the Group of 20 offshoot B-20?s employment mission, has said global income distribution is rapidly worsening, as Turkey?s Labor Minister said Turkey has been doing well in the fight against poverty.