(Assistant Professor, Istanbul Commerce University)

Author

F. Ceren Yal??n is Assistant Professor of Istanbul Commerce University, Faculty of Commercial Sciences. She is also Director of the university's Center for Foreign Trade Research (TEDAM). Previously, she worked for the Export Credit Bank of Turkey and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Hamburg. F. Ceren Yal??n got her PhD degree on Public Law from Ankara University.

Abstract

Alongside being the major trade route between Europe and Asia, the Silk Road has been home to diverse cultures throughout the history. After Central Asian Turkic Republics gained their independence, revival of the Silk Road became a project in agendas. The project's aim was reviving the Silk Road again as a trade route and also as a cultural attraction. For this purpose, efforts were made to renovate the historical sights on the Silk Road, gaining them new functions, and their preservation. These days, as the tendencies for globalization increase, the Silk Road's potential on Turkey's foreign trade is significant. Countries which are able to get their foreign trade more sustainable with initiatives like Silk Road, succeed to increase their level of income and welfare. As its position in world trade strengthens, it's important for Turkey to create policies with in-depth analysis of both local and global inclinations and trends. These well studied policies are essential for Turkey to gain advantages on global competition in trade. It is obvious that Silkroad Economic Belt Project will boost cooperation among regional countries. In order to maximize Turkey's benefits from this project, it is essential to undertake necessary research for policy making and raising awareness. TEDAM, Turkey's first foreign trade research center constituted under Istanbul Commercial University, is a brilliant example of the importance given for such researches. Being the first in its area of specialization, TEDAM also differs from other research centers with its constitutional partners. Alongside the university, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and Turk Eximbank (Eximbank) are aligning their forces for this research center. Eximbank is an official financier of Turkish foreign trade and TIM is an influential NGO which will support TEDAM with its network of professionals. Researching on Silk Road Economic Belt will be a to-the-point task for TEDAM and will benefit all the parties involved with its focus on products, industries, countries and regional markets.