Turkey

The insurance market in Turkey is bracing itself for consolidation following a decade of growth that has brought key international players to the country eager to play a part in the sector’s development. Buoyed by the introduction of the Turkish Insurance Law almost five years ago, the industry has expanded steadily.

Increased foreign mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity and regulatory changes that encourage consolidation are expected to dramatically alter the commercial playing field in Turkey over the next several years.

The Turkish aviation sector is experiencing accelerating growth with foreign firms taking note of fresh opportunities. The new alliance in early March between Aéroports de Paris (AdP) and TAV, the Turkish airports operator, is a sign that the rapid growth in passenger numbers and air traffic at the country’s main airports has not only drawn interest from international investors but is also spurring TAV to expand to other regions.

The recent announcement of plans for the establishment of new free trade agreements (FTAs) with Malaysia and South Korea in the first half of 2012 will likely lead to a significant increase in trade between Turkey and East Asia.

The minarets of Istanbul’s Hagia Sofia, an iconic part of the city’s skyline, will soon be joined by a tower to become one of the tallest buildings in Europe. The Scottish-designed tower, part of “Metropol Istanbul”, will be located in the new financial district in Ataşehir, which is now beginning to take shape.

Istanbul’s public transport system is set to be radically overhauled by the addition of an underwater transit tunnel, new train stations and a possible third bridge over the Bosphorus. The most recent development in Turkey’s transport section has been the completion of the undersea section of the Bosphorus tunnel – or “Marmaray” – project.