Foreign Direct Investment in Turkey: Minister Highlights Resilience

At a high-profile reception in London marking the 20th anniversary of the Presidential Investment Office, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek delivered a compelling case for foreign direct investment in Turkey. Addressing international investors and business leaders on April 1, 2026, Şimşek characterized Turkey as a “center of attraction for global talent and capital” despite the geopolitical “black clouds” currently hanging over the Middle East.

Leveraging the “Twin Transformation” Amid Regional Shifts

Minister Şimşek argued that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is fundamentally reshaping global trade, forcing a diversification of supply chains and the creation of new corridors. He emphasized that Turkey is uniquely positioned to benefit from this shift, particularly through its focus on the “Twin Transformation”—the simultaneous integration of green and digital technologies.

“Turkey is part of the Middle Corridor, and we are investing heavily in regional connectivity,” Şimşek stated. He highlighted several key economic pillars supporting the case for foreign direct investment in Turkey:

• Market Scale: A $1.6 trillion economy with a population of 86 million.

• Infrastructure Power: Approximately $360 billion has been invested in infrastructure under President Erdoğan’s leadership.

• Diversified Industry: Strong performance in defense, agriculture (Top 10 globally in value-added), and a world-class services sector.

A Track Record of Reform and Resilience

Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, Head of the Presidential Investment Office, joined Şimşek in highlighting the success of Turkey’s long-term reform agenda. Since 2003, the cumulative foreign direct investment in Turkey has reached nearly $290 billion. The transformation is reflected in the numbers: the number of international companies operating in Turkey has surged from roughly 5,000 to over 87,000 in just over two decades.

Dağlıoğlu noted that Turkey has evolved into a regional hub for production, management, R&D, and logistics for multinational corporations. The goal, he stated, is to elevate Turkey to “global economic power status” over the coming decades by leveraging its resilient investment ecosystem.

Sector-Specific Opportunities for Global Investors

The Minister concluded by listing a “broad set of opportunities” for those considering foreign direct investment in Turkey:

• Tourism & Health: Turkey remains a Top 5 global destination for tourism, with health tourism identified as a high-growth area.

• Construction: Turkish firms rank second globally, trailing only China, in terms of the number of international companies.

• Technology: From gaming technologies to series (TV) exports and aviation, the digital economy is booming.

By focusing on permanent disinflation and sustainable current account balances, the government aims to provide a stable environment where international capital can thrive alongside Turkey’s dynamic local workforce.