Economic Data: Interest Rates 7.5% Unemployment (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015) 9.4% (2014) Inflation (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015) 8.9% (2014) GDP real growth rate (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015) 2.9% (2014) Exchange Rates (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015) 1 Turkish lira = $ .37 USD Exchange Rate Regime (International Trade Centre, 2015) Floating GDP (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015) 813.3-billion (2014) Labor Force (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015) 27.56-million Major Industries (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015) Textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, mining, steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper FDI Rates (International Trade Centre, 2015) 10,002.0-million (Inflow as of 2012) Physical Infrastructure: Major Airports/Seaports Seaports with container liner service (World Port Source, 2015): Akdeniz, Ambarli, Derince, Gemlik, Haydarpasa, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin Airports (World Aero Data, 2015): Adnan Menderes, Akinci, Ataturk, Dalaman, EFES, ERHAC, Erkilet, Esenboga, Guvercinlink Railway Stations (Government websites) Illustration below Internet Users (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015) 27.233-million (2009) Mobile Providers (txtNation, 2015) Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, Avea Logistics Performance Index Rating (The World Bank, 2015) 30 Business Observations: · Shipping and distribution should be made easy with the access to numerous port cities, airports, and railways states. · The LPI rating for Turkey is slightly less than that in the United States and Germany, indicating some question of reliability, but nothing of major concern. While infrastructure and customs performed lower, shipments were very reliable. The infrastructure and logistics support frequent shipments and trade (The World Bank, 2015) · Foreign investment into Turkey is strong, but unemployment and inflation rates are high compared to
the United States. The exchange rate is appealing if looking to import from Turkey. · The exchange rate regime in Turkey has changed several times in recent years. The current regime is more liberal in nature (Yased, 2015). The exchange rate in Turkey is still monitored and intervention is applied if necessary. · If a dip in the value of the lira occurs compared to the U.S. dollar, demand for U.S. imports will decrease. In the same scenario, a dip in the value of the lira compared to the U.S. dollar, demand for Turkish exports will increase. · Based on the existing industries, clothing manufacturing might be a possible investment area due to the strength of textile manufacturing. There would also be easy access to Europe and parts of Asia. References Central Intelligence Agency. (2015). The world factbook: Turkey. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html International Trade Centre. (2015). Investment map. Retrieved from http://www.investmentmap.org/prioritySector.aspx?selCtry=TUR&selInds=&selOpt=inward&selYear Seat61.com. (2015). A beginner’s guide to train travel in Turkey. Retrieved from http://www.seat61.com/Turkey2.htm#.VZMBdvlVhBc The World Bank. (2015). Logistics performance index: Global rankings 2014. Retrieved from http://lpi.worldbank.org/international/global txtNation. (2015). All countries – List of mobile operators by country (slow loading). Retrieved from https://clients.txtnation.com/entries/301118-All-Countries-List-Of-Mobile-Operators-By-Country-slow-loading World Aero Data. (2015). Airports in Turkey. Retrieved from http://www.worldaerodata.com/countries/Turkey.php World Port Source. (2015). Turkey: Port index. Retrieved from http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/index/TUR.php Yased. (2015). Exchange rate regime. Retrieved from http://www.yased.org.tr/webportal/English/yoic/Business/Pages/ExchangeRateRegime.aspx