Türkiye accelerates investment and financial reforms under the Economic Coordination Board
Türkiye’s Economic Coordination Board (EKK), chaired by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, has agreed to accelerate coordination of investment, industrial, and financial policy measures aimed at strengthening production capacity, export performance, and macro-financial stability (Republic of Türkiye Presidency – Economic Coordination Board framework).
The meeting reviewed recent domestic and global economic developments, including heightened geopolitical risks and their potential implications for financial markets and banking sector stability, as part of Türkiye’s ongoing macro-financial risk monitoring process (Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Treasury and Finance – macroeconomic policy coordination).
Strategic investment framework and policy acceleration
Officials discussed the implementation pace of Türkiye’s broader investment strategy under the national development vision often referred to as the “Türkiye Century” economic agenda, which prioritises high-value production, technology-driven growth, and export competitiveness (Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye).
Within this framework, authorities emphasised improving administrative coordination to reduce delays in investment processes and enhance predictability for domestic and foreign investors. These goals align with Türkiye’s existing investment incentive system, which includes:
- corporate tax reductions and exemptions for qualifying investments
- customs duty exemptions for strategic imports
- Social Security premium support for employers
- land allocation for large-scale industrial projects
- targeted R&D and innovation support
These incentives are part of Türkiye’s legally defined national investment incentive program administered through official economic institutions (Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology – Investment Incentive System).
Istanbul Financial Centre and global positioning strategy
The EKK also reviewed Türkiye’s strategy to expand its presence in global financial markets, with particular attention to the Istanbul Financial Centre (IFC), which is designed to position Istanbul as a regional financial hub connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East (Istanbul Financial Centre official framework).
The IFC operates under a special legal and regulatory regime designed to increase international financial participation. Incentives under this framework include:
- tax advantages for qualifying financial institutions
- exemptions on certain transaction-based charges
- income tax reductions for eligible employees within the centre
- Administrative and regulatory simplifications for financial firms
These provisions are formally defined under Türkiye’s Istanbul Financial Centre legislation and supporting regulations (Law No. 7412 on Istanbul Financial Centre – Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye).
Reported policy proposals under parliamentary review
Recent media reports have also referenced additional proposed measures aimed at strengthening Türkiye’s attractiveness as an investment destination, including expanded tax advantages for transit trade, incentives for multinational headquarters, and potential exemptions for foreign-sourced income in specific cases.
However, these measures are not yet finalised as law and remain subject to legislative drafting, parliamentary approval, and official publication before they can take effect (Grand National Assembly of Türkiye legislative process framework).
As such, specific figures or long-term exemptions reported in media coverage should be interpreted as policy proposals under consideration rather than confirmed legal provisions.
