Turkish property & economy news

An initiative to increase Belek’s golf share is focussing on French golfers. Belek, in Antalya, is the country’s premier golfing destination, with 14 world-class courses. A development agency is to bring French golf tourist agents to the region to sample Belek’s best golfing facilities, with an aim to divert French golfers from popular Tunisian and Moroccan courses. In other news, in May, Belek will host 126 female golfers as part of the Ladies European Tour, a prestigious tournament that will be a huge boost for Belek and the wider Antalya region.

Antalya City will host 1300 G20 delegates in November as part of its G20 presidency, which was assumed in December. The summit will not only be a chance for Turkey to shine on the world’s stage, but will bring global attention to the country, in particular, the Antalya region. The G20 summit will aim to address issues such as global inequality, renewable energy costs and increasing prosperity and improving financial systems to guard against future financial storms.

If walls could talk, the beautiful Palazzo Corpi, home to the US Embassy for a century, would certainly have a few stories to tell. The beautiful mansion was once a meeting place for the movers and shakers of the world - as well as spies. Now, the mansion is moving into its next incarnation: the Istanbul home of the luxury club Soho House. Millions of dollars have been spent on restoring and improving the mansion, which opens its doors to members and non members alike this month.

The Turkish government has revealed a new package that will rejuvenate the economy by creating 120,000 jobs and encouraging investment. While the country has seen an average of 5 percent annual growth since the AKP party came to power in 2002, during the last two years the economy has slowed. Elections are also looming, and AKP hopes that the ambitious economic plan will win favour with voters in the lead up to June. President Erdogan’s party is determined that Turkey become one of the world’s top 10 economies within a decade, and this plan is one step toward that goal.

Last week the Turkish minister for Labour and Social Security Faruk Celik made a rallying cry for influential G20 states to turn words into actions and make moves to eliminate global poverty. Turkey, who has G20 presidency, is urging the world to sit up and take notice as ever-widening gap between rich and poor turns critical. Turkey is well qualified to comment on the issue of leaving poverty behind - a World Bank report shows that poverty levels in Turkey have dropped dramatically, from 16 percent a decade ago to just five percent today.

The Turkish housing market has been revived by domestic demand as falling interest rates allow first time buyers to gain a hold in the property market, boosting sales volume and bolstering the economy. Overall sales were up in February, with mortgage house sales increasing by more than 50 percent. Istanbul maintains its position at the top of the sales hierarchy, with 19 percent of sales completed there last month. This is due in no small part to increased investor attention, with buyers attracted to the low-cost, high yield residential complexes outside the city centre. 

An updated Customs Agreement between Turkey and the EU is set to cement Turkey’s importance as a trading partner and solidify its role in a lucrative free trade agreement with the US. The Customs Agreement has been in place for almost 20 years, and has not kept pace with Turkey’s position as a trading partner and threatened its position in future trade deals. The updated agreement will not only open Turkey up to foreign markets, but is paving the way for future trading and energy deals with the EU.

Technology is booming in Turkey, with overseas and domestic investment facilitating a rapid growth in software development and communications technology. Turkey’s youthful population is driving the demand for better, faster communication and transforming the way Turkish businesses work, with an emphasis on independent, mobile-connected working units. Spending in the technology sector is set to reach US$11.7 billion this year as the sector hits its stride.

A gas pipeline connecting Azerbaijan's largest natural gas fields to Europe via Turkey is set to cement Turkey's status as the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East. The move will make Turkey the region's key energy distributor and ensure future access to lower-cost gas.  The pipeline will also allow Turkey to distance itself from Russia, who previously supplied the country with most of its gas supply.

The hotel formerly known as the Golden Savoy will become Jumeirah Bodrum Palace Hotel - the second Jumeirah in Turkey after the Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah in Istanbul - a sure sign of the prestige that Bodrum is held in amongst those who appreciate all things luxury and a high quality of life with the finer things at your finger tips or even closer. 

Forbes’ annual “rich list” was released a couple of weeks ago and an analysis by the magazine showed that Turkey’s wealthiest are investing in Turkish real estate, with 85 of the top 100 richest Turks holding significant stakes in property. Turkey’s economy has remained strong in the face of global turmoil, making it a natural choice for safe and profitable investment. We outline the top spots for investing in Turkish real estate, and what makes them stand out from the crowd.

Turkish women are making headlines around the world with their social media-led campaigns urging for equality and an end to women-directed violence. Educational reforms have already begun to make changes in a country where illiteracy rates are five times higher for men than women, but the women who are now finding their voices are asking for change - and fast.