Where does Turkey stand in the New Silk Road?

The Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜS?AD) was one of the first pioneering institutions that started closely monitoring China. During the presidency of Arzuhan Do?an Yalç?nda? in 2007, when TÜS?AD opened an office in Beijing, I remember there were opponents arguing this was not needed.

Not only did TÜS?AD open a representation office, it also launched a series of comprehensive conferences under the title "Understanding and Doing Business with China."

The third of these conferences was held in Istanbul recently with the theme of "One Belt, One Road Project." China's project, known as the New Silk Road, aims to bind several countries in Asia, Europe and Africa through land and water routes. 

China started a major promotion drive for the project expected to affect two-thirds of the world's population and one-third of the global production. 

The project was launched in March and I was able to speak to one of the most famous businesspersons in Asia, the group chairman of the Li & Fung group of companies, Dr. Victor Fung, in May in Istanbul.

Dr. Fung, who is the founder of the "Fung Business Intelligence Center," which has contributed a great deal to the project, said the New Silk Road is a huge opportunity for Turkey because it is "the entrance to Europe." 

The project consists of the Silk Road Economic Belt which follows the old Silk Road and the other water route, the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road."

In the last TÜS?AD conference, TÜS?AD head Cansen Ba?aran-Symes said the One Belt, One Road Project was a giant initiative that would change the rules of the game in the global arena.

She said this giant project would revive the Chinese economy and bring global markets closer to each...