The Frankfurt Book Fair will celebrate Turkey's rich cultural heritage and literature as its guest of honor Oct. 15 through 19. The theme, "Turkey in All Its Colours," speaks volumes about what the nearly 350 acclaimed writers and translators will bring to the world's largest book fair. In addition to presenting more than 200 readings, lectures and programs, the event will also feature an array of voices, including those of Orhan Pamuk, Asl? Erdogan, Elif Safak and Sebnem Isiguzel.

The largest country fair in Petro-dollar rich Kuwait was held by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC).82 Turkish firms qualified as KOBI from textile to cosmetics and from food to furniture sector have presented their goods to customers' liking with direct sale. The exposition held in Kuwait International Fair has received the utmost attention from Kuwaitis.

Despite absorbing 16.5 percent of overall employment in Turkey, with its boomed population of 12 million, the unemployment rate in Istanbul is 11.2 percent. In other words, one fifth of all unemployed are living in Istanbul. If we are to include the number of inert labor, seasonal workers and those ready to work but are not seeking job within the definition of unemployment, this rate is doubled both in Turkey and Istanbul. In order to develop the welfare of Turkey and Istanbul, expansion in additional employment for not only unemployed, but also the wider mass that is not included in labor market is indispensable.

Increasing global energy prices coupled with the madly elevated food prices caused us to question the global danger of starvation. In Turkey, which had a dry summer last year, the increase in food prices was felt only for rice. However, considering the structural problems of agriculture and the risk of drought, alarm bells are ringing for Turkey which was one of the seven self-sufficient countries formerly.

Export of citrus fruits, the traditional produce of Turkey, is decreasing in terms of quantity. But there is higher demand for citrus from Turkey due to the impact of bad weather conditions on competitors such as Argentine and Spain, and prices have consequently risen. Thus, Turkey's citrus exports are increasing in terms of foreign exchange. Whether this increase will continue in the coming season too, depends on weather conditions and the logistics support to be provided to the sector. Producers Unions of Spain on the other hand say that Argentine and Turkey prices will be a determining factor in the market this season.