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    Ill fate of the Competition Commission of Pakistan
    Güven Sak, PhD 02 October 2010
    What is the first thing that comes to your mind about Pakistan? For instance, it might be the destruction caused by the recent flood disaster. The picture after the disaster will most likely not be erased from your memories easily. Or, you might think about Afghanistan. If you hear the word Pakistan, you will immediately recall the name Afghanistan. Recent news in the media reveals that there is a dispute on Afghanistan between the US and Pakistani governments. First, Pakistan cut off the path of the NATO troops to the supply base setting forth the missile attacks by the US towards Pakistani military forces. Then the US media featured a film about how the Pakistani troops in Afghanistan killed unarmed Afghani civilians. All of these are sure important, but what I immediately think of about [More]
    Is not having a star sector the end of the world?
    Güven Sak, PhD 30 September 2010
    Last Tuesday I began my words stating that Turkey does not have a star sector. The term 'star' referred to sectors exports of which grew with a pace above the average and which had a high share in global market. If the evidence to the presence of the cake is its being eaten, the evidence to the star sector would be its global competitiveness. As the global competitiveness increased, sectors gained importance for the country economy. Then, is a country's not having a star sector the end of the world? It is definitely bad. But is there nothing to do for Turkey? Are the foreigners that praise Turkey to the skies completely wrong? Let us give quick answers to these questions. [More]
    Why does Turkey not have any star sectors?
    Güven Sak, PhD 28 September 2010
    I recently heard that star sectors of Taiwan have been changing. While the ICT sectors used to be more important, these were recently replaced with solar energy sectors. Hearing this, what question comes to your mind? Do not you think "What are Turkey's star sectors, then?" After all, we cannot just sit down and wait while some try to specify the new normal for themselves. At least, we should not. But I took a deeper look at this issue and I want to advice you not to deal with comparisons. The reason for this is quite simple: Turkey does not have star sectors that fit into the definition.  And this is the exact issue we must be worried about. Then, why Turkey does not have a star sector? It is certainly impossible to answer this question completely with one short commentary. But well begun [More]
    Do you follow the developments in Kashmir?
    Güven Sak, PhD 25 September 2010
    What first comes to your mind when you hear the word Kashmir? For me, it is 'Bush the Second'. Or more precisely, it is a cartoon featured in The New York Times right after the first time the Second Bush was elected. It was times when it was commonly discussed that Bush knows nothing about foreign policy. But, he was elected as the President anyway. In the cartoon Bush and his mentor Chaney stand together. Bush the Second asks: Do India and Pakistan fight over a (cashmere) sweater? Chaney, trying to stay calm responds: "Kashmir is a region, sir." By the way, I would like to put a quick note:  Did you know that Chaney's heart does not beat anymore? His blood circulated with the help of a machine. Just like a vampire movie! I wonder if his image is reflected on the mirror. Anyway, today's to [More]
    What is the similarity between Sarkozy and Erdoğan?
    Güven Sak, PhD 23 September 2010
    President of France Nicholas Sarkozy kind of sabotaged the European Union summit meeting held the week before. He started to discuss with Barosso, President of the European Commission out of nowhere. The subject of the discussion was Sarkozy's decision to expel 700 Romans, who are citizens of EU member Romania and Bulgaria. Nowadays, everyone criticizes Sarkozy. In the meanwhile Sarkozy seems to have given an early start to the campaign for the general MP elections in 2012. In this sense, President Sarkozy is quite similar with Prime Minister Erdogan. They both are good at long term political planning. Let us see what the similarity between them is. [More]
    If it is about traffic, policy uncertainty can even cause death
    Güven Sak, PhD 21 September 2010
    While the referendum reduced political uncertainty, policy uncertainty has been increasing due to successive elections ahead. So, nowadays in advance we had better sit down and think how we can reduce the risk of policy uncertainty. I have written about this issue two times last week; so let me continue with this today. Policy uncertainty is not solely related with macroeconomic decisions. It is also about the traffic. Maybe it has escaped your notice: In July on the eve of the referendum, the fee for transporting passengers on foot in minibuses was cut. And then we started to see the results. Do not immediately ask what this has to do with the issue in question. Indeed, it has. Please hear me first. [More]
    Do you watch the tea party days in America?
    Güven Sak, PhD 18 September 2010
    It is Tea Party time in America. They started with house meetings. It was right the beginning of the economic crisis. They had complaints. They were afraid. Now they are bringing down candidates of the Republicans one after another. It appears that the Tea party movement has intervened in the course of events in the United States of America. It is like the public decided to determine their future on their own. The attitude shows it. Their appearance on the media also reflects this idea. Their web site is titled Tea Party Patriots; sort of a 'Kuva-yi Milliye' (national forces). If you wonder what is going on in the USA, please join me down in this free-association commentary. [More]
    Hike in policy uncertainty is not good for growth, either
    Güven Sak, PhD 16 September 2010
    Let me continue from where I stopped last Monday: In the post-referendum Turkey, risk of political uncertainty decreased while that of policy uncertainty increased.  It is sort of a 'What the hell is this now' situation. I believe the growth figures announced the day before should be considered with this lens. Today, let us combine these two. [More]
    What does the referendum results imply for the economy?
    Güven Sak, PhD 14 September 2010
    The referendum following the Ramadan Festival brought about a strong 'yes'. In my consideration, voters stated that they are satisfied with the conditions in general. The government restored trust with the referendum. How and why this result came out is another matter of question. Let us see today what the referendum results imply for the economy. [More]
    The crisis hits the ballot box
    Güven Sak, PhD 07 September 2010
    Do you follow the election campaigns? Turkey is now surrounded with the election atmosphere. Do not get tricked that it is the referendum that will be carried out and it is glamorized with a number of issues; an election is an election. The citizens of this country feel free and at liberty only in front of the ballot box since 1950's. When you are in front of the box, it is your satisfaction with your life that determines the outcome. If you are satisfied, you vote yes and vice versa. If you are hopeful that everything will be all right, you vote yes. If you are not you vote no. In this context, I believe that the crisis hits the ballot box either in Turkey or in other parts of the world. Please note that this is what happened also during the previous local elections. Please give an ear to [More]