ISTANBUL, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) opened Friday a new regional center in Turkey's economic hub Istanbul.

A virtual opening ceremony was held with the participation of the OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan.

Gurria said in a written statement that the Istanbul center would be a cross-regional meeting point for sharing global practices and paving the way for recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In a post-COVID-19 world, we must continue building bridges to lay the groundwork for a strong, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable recovery," Gurria noted.

The secretary-general stated that in this regard, the Istanbul center would be a platform for sharing "best practices and experiences" across and among OECD regional programs in Eurasia, Southeast Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Erdogan, meanwhile, noted that Turkey, through the OECD Istanbul center, will be able to contribute more to the organization's work.

"The Istanbul center will contribute to the organization's strategy with the partner countries and strengthen trade and investment relations with non-member countries," Erdogan added.

Pekcan, for her part, said with the establishment of this center, a new era began in the relations between Turkey and the OECD.

She noted that the center would contribute to the building of a better world in the post-pandemic period. Enditem

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