Turkey: Attracting More Investments and Projects Every Year
Turkey’s Investment Landscape: Insights from Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu
Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of the Presidential Investment and Finance Office, recently shared insights on Turkey’s evolving investment climate and the strategies being implemented to attract both domestic and international investors. His remarks follow the recent restructuring within the office, which included the integration of various functions under the newly termed Investment and Finance Office.
New Dimensions of Investment and Finance
In light of the recent Presidential Decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Investment Office has been tasked with new responsibilities. This includes improving Turkey’s investment environment, promoting large-scale projects, and enhancing the role of participation finance—a sector that Dağlıoğlu highlighted as critical for growth.
“We are actively contributing to reform processes and enhancing the investment landscape by integrating feedback from investors into decision-making mechanisms. This new mission includes responsibilities in the finance sector, particularly focusing on participation finance and financial technologies," he explained.
The Emergence of Istanbul as a Financial Hub
Dağlıoğlu emphasized the significance of the Istanbul Financial Center as a key project aimed at positioning Turkey on the global financial map. He mentioned that the center has already begun accepting both international and domestic participants, an initiative expected to expand significantly in the coming years.
Plans for a "Single Window Office" and the establishment of a "FinTech Zone" technopark are on the horizon as part of efforts to foster innovation and streamline investments.
Positive Investment Trends
Reflecting on recent investment figures, Dağlıoğlu noted a considerable influx of foreign direct investment, with projections estimating around $1.3-$1.4 trillion in global investments in the previous year. He pointed out that despite a stagnant global investment climate post-pandemic, Turkey has managed to attract a relatively higher share of investments.
"Turkey’s total international direct investments have surpassed $270 billion to date. In the first two months of this year alone, we recorded an inflow of $1.9 billion, a figure that signifies a promising trend," Dağlıoğlu said.
Focus on Industrial and Technological Investments
The industrial sector, particularly guided by Erdoğan’s "2030 Industry and Technology Strategy," has emerged as a powerful driver of investments in Turkey. Dağlıoğlu highlighted commitments for 19 projects valued at over $9 billion, which are anticipated to generate approximately 20,000 jobs.
He also referenced the "HIT-30 High Technology Incentive Program," which has garnered significant interest from investors, further solidifying Turkey’s position in the global market.
Sector-Specific Insights
Dağlıoğlu presented an overview of the sectors attracting the most investment in Turkey since 2003, with finance leading the pack, followed by manufacturing, energy, and retail. Notably, the retail sector has seen a boost due to emerging e-commerce platforms.
As he shared recent data from the beginning of 2025, Dağlıoğlu noted that the wholesale and retail sector took the lead in attracting investments, primarily driven by large e-commerce platforms.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Dağlıoğlu asserted that Turkey aims to increase its share of global direct investments from 1% to 1.5% over time. He emphasized the importance of aligning projects with national strategies to ensure that they contribute positively to Turkey’s economic goals.
"We aim to evolve from being a regional center to achieving a more substantial global standing, which requires a shift toward value-added exports and engagement in advanced technological sectors,” he concluded.
By fostering a robust investment environment and leveraging technological advancements, Turkey is positioning itself as a dynamic hub for both local and international investment, setting the stage for sustainable economic growth.
