Central Asia: Support for Economic Community
This month, several former leaders of states that support Central Asia’s economic and political liberalization have weighed in on issues of globalization and economic integration. In particular, former President of Turkey Mr. Demirel discussed the historic and continuing participation of Turkey in Central Asia’s economic development, noting that Turkey continues to build economic ties:
Turkish investments are in excess of 4 billion US Dollars and projects undertaken by Turkish contractors are currently valued in the range of $15 billion. There are some 1000 large and small sized Turkish firms operating in the region. Turkey’s trade volume with the region last year stood at $3 billion. The traditional multi-dimensional nature of Turkish foreign policy requires Turkey to be active on numerous fronts all at the same time.
These stats are in some contrast with perceptions that Turkey no longer has an economic influence — or has stopped collaborating in Central Asia’s economic growth. What I particularly liked about this article, though, was the emphasis on collaboration in many areas–Mr. Demirel noted that the interest from the EU is primarily one of energy resources, leading to a one or two note policy in the region. Likewise, his comments concerning terror and crime added to the list of items that large world powers, alone or in coalition, desire from Central Asia.
The second article from a former President, in this case an interview with Mr. Clinton from the U.S., featured a new global initiative that will concentrate in Asia–China and India, especially, but with the potential to radiate outward. In this article, Mr. Clinton noted that developing states have the potential to “leapfrog” the process of industrialization, avoiding mistakes and bypassing wasteful processes. For instance, states which have ahd to conserve energy because they have been unable to obtain enough of it have often developed solutions worth keeping or even marketing in terms of new energy awareness. In future, if these states implement the best new technologies, they can bypass the ecological difficulties of the outdated ones.
Both of these former Presidents emphasized the influence of Asian economic powers (China and India, specifically) as having a great role in creating global economic diversity and solutions for a growing middle class. And in general, it is a middle class that makes democracy crucial. Both of these presidents highlighted economic aspects as a precondition for democratic government. This includes not just the entrance of major corporations, but the construction and care of new small and medium enterprises, which employ and raise more people to decision-making positions.