As the cultural, institutional, organizational and human capital is not yet well-equipped for such a radical change, this process has already created deep anxieties in the complicated social strata. For the mentioned reasons, societies do not jump, but rather change on a gradual evolutionary path. Therefore, any agenda imposed upon society for a spontaneous change would bring chaos that in the end would prevent any sustainable reform or transformation process.This is a more likely threat to the reform process in Turkey, where the majority of people fail to cope well with radical changes. In such an "alienating" environment where people feel isolated and are caught up in the psychology of deprivation, opposing groups try to prevent change so as to keep their privileged position and to exploit this situation.
As a matter of fact Turkey is now experiencing such a dangerous process. In this regard, good management of the transition period has strategic importance. Among the many possible measures, financial support of those who sustain losses at the beginning of the reform process might be the best one. In order to carry out such management, Turkey needs the support of multinational institutions on many fronts.
As matter of fact, the Undersecretariat of the Turkish Treasury together with the World Bank launched on April 25, 2008 the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2008-2011 and the new Country Economic Memorandum (CEM) on "Sustaining High Growth" at a conference held in Ankara. The new CPS anticipates future World Bank financing for programs of the Turkish government, or guaranteed by the government, up to $6.2 billion during the four-year period. In addition it provides for financing of private sector investments by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and scope for guarantees against non-commercial risks from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The IFC and MIGA are both members of the World Bank Group.
According to the World Bank, its group's partnership strategy with Turkey is grounded in Turkey's own development agenda -- the Ninth Development Plan. The goal of the strategy is to contribute to improving the lives and opportunities for all Turkish people so Turkey approaches, over time, the levels of income and development in other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and in the EU. Turkey's priorities will drive the program of World Bank Group support.
The partnership will build on Turkey's sound macroeconomic framework and will focus on three areas:
* Improved competitiveness and employment opportunities: a favorable business environment and broader access to credit for the private sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises; increased competitiveness of Turkish exporters; measures to secure a reliable and efficient supply of energy and strengthen infrastructure; and more and better jobs, including for young people and for both men and women.
* Equitable human and social development: including the completion of social security and universal health insurance reform; the ongoing transformation of Turkey's health system; the further expansion and improvement in the quality of education, with a focus on giving students, workers and employees the skills sought by private employers; and social inclusion and welfare policies to support the disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Turkey.
* Efficient provision of high quality public services: including the continuing modernization of Turkey's management of public spending and financing; strengthening judicial services; investments in municipal infrastructure and irrigation; an improved cadastre system, and effective disaster preparedness and management.
