Report shows dramatic upsurge in Turkey's development aid to impoverished countries

The development aid Turkey gives to the least-developed countries through the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) has risen dramatically over the last five years, according to a new report from the State Planning Organization (DPT) and the United Nations. Lending a helping hand to needy countries across the world has an important place in Turkey's emerging role as a regional and global power. According to the report, the amount of Turkey's official development aid to the least-developed countries through TIKA skyrocketed 2,000 percent over the last six years, from just $8.8 million in 2004 to $187 million in 2009. This upsurge, clearly showing the significant progress Turkey has made in foreign aid in recent years, stemmed from aid to a number of countries in Africa as part of its outreach to the continent, as well as big-budget projects for reconstruction in Afghanistan, said the report.