Cemal Akkuş: Common trading platform could be launched along Middle Corridor

A common trading platform for local products could be launched along the Middle Corridor in five areas, Cemal Akkuş, president of Türkiye's Alternative Research Center (ALARM), said at the 2nd International Conference of Leading National Think Tanks of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Baku.

Report quotes him as saying the Middle Corridor's extensive transport network should be made available to small and medium-sized producers.

"Our proposal is aimed at ensuring that local products, particularly cultural products, are produced and offered for sale along the Middle Corridor, while the economy generates added value through a common marketing and advertising strategy," Akkuş said.

He believes that at the initial stage, this could be implemented in five areas: textiles and design (carpets, felt, wool and leather products), food products (honey, dried fruits, grain), handicrafts (ceramics, jewelry, wood and metal products), cultural tourism, and digital production (music, documentaries, games and animation).

Akkuş stressed that the process should be carried out in stages: during the first three months, pilot regions and products would be identified; by the end of the first year, trial sales would begin; in the second year, the common platform would be developed; and from the third year, successful practices would be expanded to other regions.