Istanbul set to host economist roundtable meeting

"Turkey, a country in transformation," will be the theme of this year's annual roundtable business meetings between The Economist magazine and the Turkish government in Istanbul. The meeting tomorrow, chaired by The Economist's Europe Editor John Peet, will bring together top policymakers, local and international business leaders, and influential thinkers, including Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, Turkish Airlines (THY) CEO Temel Kotil, Merrill Lynch Turkey CEO Elif Bilgi Zapparoli, Petrol Ofisi Chairwoman Hanzade Dogan Boyner, Brightwell Holding Chairman Alphan Manas. Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan may also attend the event. "The Economist sees Turkey as an increasingly important country, with a strong economy and a growing role both in its region and in the world," Peet said yesterday. Discussions at the meeting are likely to focus on Turkey's economic future, including its European Union membership bid, its future as a major business hub, redefinition of its strategic relationships regionally and globally, the sustainability of recent high economic growth levels, and promoting local innovation potential.