Turkey is one of the only regional countries that export agricultural produce such as cotton, tobacco, fruit and vegetables. Agriculture accounts for over 15% of total economic output and is a major employer, particularly of women. There are also sizeable mining and manufacturing industries. Tourism is one of the largest service sectors and serves as a key source of foreign exchange. Turkey is attempting to become part of the European Union and as a result many social and economic reforms are taking place throughout the country. As a result of this European alignment, Turkey’s trading partners have expanded widely from the Middle East, Europe, Balkans, Asia, Australia to America.

In the aftermath of the Cold War, Turkey has moved from the periphery of Europe to the center of the new political and economic reality of Eurasia. This region, which includes Central Asia, the Caucasus and the countries of the Black Sea, attracts increasing attention not only because of its potential as one of the world’s most important energy-producing areas, but also because of its position as a transport corridor linking East and West.

Turkey has historic, cultural and linguistic ties with the majority of the countries in these regions. Turkey has significantly improved economic and trade relations in the region and Turkish companies have experienced phenomenal growth through their expansion into these markets. Since 1992, Turkey’s trade volume with the region has reached almost $6 billion. Turkey’s total volume of regional investment also exceeds $6 billion. Turkish contractors have become major players in the international construction market due to their reliability, creativity and cost effectiveness. Turkish contractors have undertaken projects in Central Asia, the Russian Federation and around the world with a total value of almost $40 billion.