Turkish Minister says nuke weapons do not belong to Islamic mentality

Turkey's industry and trade minister said on Wednesday that it was impossible in a scientific atmosphere shaped up according to Islamic civilization to produce biological weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and atomic bombs.

Minister Nihat Ergun said technological products were a reflection of the mentalities that manufactured them, and they were not independent from those mentalities.

"Our civilization is based on an understanding that focuses on being constructive not destructive, attaches importance on ethical values and aesthetics as well as welfare, and regards justice above everything," Ergun said during a panel discussion on "Technology Vision of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Countries" in Istanbul.

The panel discussion took place as a part of the 14th International Business Forum (IBF) organized by the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD).

Ergun said the recent global financial crisis had showed the entire world that economic and technological development was not sufficient enough, and countries should cooperate and establish partnerships.

The minister said technology was the most important parameter defining power in the world, and societies transforming information into technology had become rich, secure and strong countries.

"Many Islam countries have rich oil and natural gas resources. If we find a new technology that can exclude fossil fuels in the world, many Islam countries can face serious problems," Ergun said.

Therefore, Islam countries should attach importance to private sector, entrepreneurship, production, trade, science and technology, Ergun said.

Ergun said economies that could not renew themselves, produce new products and develop their existing products could not have a word to say in the global competition.

"Therefore, there is need for R&D activities to push new products to market, raise quality and reduce costs," he said.

Ergun also said Turkey would raise the ratio of R&D expenditures to its Gross Domestic Product to 2 percent by the end of 2013, and catch up with the developed countries.

International Business Forum (IBF) is a voluntarily-based, non-governmental platform with the motto of "Global Business Network among Muslim Nations" for gathering of Muslim business people from all over the globe where they try to stimulate trade, investment and co-operation.

The Independent Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) organizes the IBF Congress every year since 1995.

The theme of this year's congress, taking place in Istanbul between October 6 and 9, is "importance of technology for development in Islamic countries"

Over 3,000 overseas delegates from 65 countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Czech, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Britain, Uzbekistan and Yemen attend the congress.

The 14th IBF Congress will also provide opportunities for national delegations to introduce their home country's profiles from business project in the fields of industry, trade, finance or agriculture and having a multi-canal dimension.


/World Bulletin/