Turkey

After watching growth top 8% in 2010 and 2011, Turkey is now seeing its economic expansion ease amid a slowdown in growth both globally and in the eurozone, the impact of civil war in Syria and the doubling of interest rates throughout 2012. Increased focus on domestic demand and exports could see growth rebound in 2013, however.

As the Turkish government drums up support for investment in renewable energy, international firms continue to face significant challenges in conducting environmental impact studies, securing funding and acquiring licences.

A landmark return by Turkey to investment grade territory following an 18-year hiatus has brought fresh confidence to the country and could pave the way for a new era of investment.

As the pension sector in Turkey prepares for upcoming regulatory changes, moves are under way in the private sector to transfer the pension departments of banks into more independent segments. Both of these developments are promising, given that they may lead to an increase in the domestic savings rate, which is currently low.

Reforms to property laws, years of solid economic growth and political stability have combined to produce a real estate boom in Turkey. Buoyed by growing investor interest, which is particularly high in top-end developments, property prices in Turkey are rising rapidly, with luxury flats in Istanbul estimated to have more than doubled in value during the past eight years, surpassing $4500 per sq metre.

Having issued two highly anticipated Islamic bonds (sukuk) recently and boasting continuing expansion in the conventional banking segment, Turkey looks set to maintain its current growth trend in financial services. However, there is still some cause for concern, with one sukuk not performing as well as expected and the economy likely to miss its target of 4% growth for 2012.