Minister Bolat: Turkey in the Ranking of High-Income Countries

The Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, made important statements during the academic year opening ceremony held at Istanbul Gelişim University’s Avcılar Campus. Minister Bolat expressed that Turkey has reaped the benefits of the profound reforms made in the fields of education and health in recent years. He emphasized that the investments made during this process have been effective in bringing the country into the league of upper-income countries.

Bolat stated that particularly since 2003, the changes implemented in the education and health sectors have positively reflected on the economic structure of the country. He expressed that the allocations to these areas are one of the government's priorities, saying, "Education and health are key elements for a country's development. We will continue to allocate resources in this context."

Providing information on the planned budget expenditures for the next year, Minister Bolat announced a total budget work of 18.9 trillion lira. He noted that a significant portion of this budget is allocated to education, stating, "Our budget for education is a total of 2.9 trillion lira for primary, secondary, high school, and higher education. This accounts for 15.4% of our total budget." He pointed out that the education budget has consistently maintained a ratio of 15-16% of the country’s budget over the last 20 years.

Minister Bolat emphasized that these investments in education aim not only to enhance academic success but also to improve the overall welfare level of society. He stated that for Turkey to hold a more significant position in the global economic arena, such reforms need to be sustained. Increasing the quality of education and strengthening investments in the health sector will consolidate Turkey's position on the international stage.

In conclusion, Minister Bolat’s speech highlights the impact of Turkey’s achievements in education and health on economic growth, while emphasizing the power of these sectors in achieving the country’s international goals. With the reforms it has implemented, Turkey aims to secure its place in the league of upper-income countries.