Poverty in Turkey at lowest level in 10 years, says World Bank Turkey director

Poverty in Turkey has been at its lowest level in the last 10 years, said World Bank Turkey director Martin Raiser on Tuesday.

Martin Raiser spoke at a World Bank presentation meeting before the Chamber of Industry in Turkey's southeastern province of Gaziantep.

"Today the poverty rate in Turkey is at 5 percent, while 10 years ago it was about 16 percent," he said.

"Turkey's economic transformation is an inclusive transformation and growth will continue to go in this direction," he added referring to the growing middle class.

Raiser also noted that Gaziantep, southeastern Turkish province, was one of Turkey's most dynamic provinces and an example to others.

Chairman of Gaziantep Chamber of Industry Adil Konukoglu said that, as Turkey's export has increased 13-fold in the past 25 years, Gaziantep's exports increased by 56 times.