Investment Options

1. Real Estate Investment
• Overview: Real estate is the most popular investment option in Turkey, offering high returns through capital appreciation and rental income.
• The real estate investments (except for land) generally qualify for the citizenship for investment program, as there are no specific areas or regions identified for this purpose. The Turkish citizen qualifies for visa-free travel to over 110 countries and access to European and Asian markets.
Advantages:

• Reasonable prices compared to Europe and the US, with good rental yields.

• Booming market in residential, commercial, and tourism-related properties.

2. Stock Market (Borsa Istanbul)
• Overview: The Istanbul Stock Exchange (BIST) has been an excellent performer, offering access to diverse sectors like food (Ülker, BİM), defense (ASELSAN), energy (Zorlu), banking (Akbank), and technology (Arçelik).
Investment Options:

• Individual stocks or Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) tracking the MSCI Turkey Index (e.g., iShares MSCI Turkey ETF with a total expense ratio of 0.45%–0.74%).

• Mutual Funds: Income Funds (liquid securities like treasury bills) and Growth Funds (long-term stock investments) are popular.

3. Bank Deposits and Investment Funds
• Overview: Turkish banks offer secure options like time deposits and mutual funds, with some qualifying for citizenship by investment at a $500,000 threshold.
• The bank deposit rate in Turkey is one of the highest in the world, currently around 48% per annum. For those seeking Sharia-compliant options, Islamic financial institutions offer alternatives. These high returns on deposits help offset inflation.

4. Agriculture
• Being the hub of agricultural activities, Konya provides huge opportunities in farming, horticulture, animal husbandry, fodder, foodgrain storage, and even modern techniques like soilless agriculture.
• Konya is known as the granary of Turkey. The cost of agricultural land is relatively low compared to other European countries, offering excellent scope for large-scale farming with lower capital requirements.
• Konya also hosts several large agricultural machinery manufacturers.

5. Foreign Trade (Import/Export)
• Turkey’s role as a trade mediator, boosted by disrupted global supply chains like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, makes it a hub for international trade. Cheap labour and proximity to Europe enhance Turkey’s export capabilities.

6. Government Bonds and Sukuk
• Turkish government bonds provide steady income with low risk. The bond and sukuk market is attracting increasing investment due to recent economic reforms.

7. Technology and Startups
• Turkey’s tech sector is booming, with opportunities in fintech (digital banking, blockchain), e-commerce (Trendyol, Hepsiburada), and AI analytics.

8. Tourism and Hospitality
• Overview: Turkey, ranked fourth globally for tourist visits in 2024, offers opportunities in accommodation (hotels, Airbnb), restaurants, experiential tourism (yacht charters, eco-tourism), and retail.

9. Energy Sector
• Overview: Turkey’s strategic location as a regional energy hub supports investments in renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal) and natural gas infrastructure.