In the first two months of the year, approximately 2 billion dollars of international direct investment arrived in Turkey. The highest investment during this period came from Kazakhstan.

The International Investors Association (YASED) published the Bulletin of International Direct Investments in Numbers after the release of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) Payment Balance statistics. According to this, the amount of international direct investment (FDI) entering Turkey in January-February period increased by 92% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1 billion 996 million dollars. As of 2002, the total value of FDI inflows to Turkey exceeded 276 billion dollars. The amount of international direct investment received in February rose by 205% compared to the same month last year, reaching 561 million dollars.

Out of these investments, 417 million dollars were from investment capital inflow, 28 million dollars from borrowing instruments, and 134 million dollars from real estate sales to foreign nationals.

Investment divestments had a downward impact worth 18 million dollars. MOST INVESTMENTS CAME TO COMMERCE In the first two months of the year, out of the 1.35 billion dollars of investment capital inflows, the largest share of 58% went to wholesale and retail trade investments, followed by 10% in finance and insurance activities, and 6% in information and communication sector. In February investments, wholesale and retail trade took 26%, followed by 13% in information and communication, 12% in finance and insurance activities, 11% in rubber and plastic products manufacturing, and 9% in professional, scientific, and technical activities sectors. In February, the countries that made the most international investments were the Netherlands, the USA, Switzerland, the UK, and Azerbaijan. KAZAKHSTAN LEADS THE WAY In the January-February period, other Asian countries led with a 49% share in FDI inflows to Turkey. This was followed by 21% from EU countries, and 12% from the American continent. Non-EU European countries had an 11% share. When looked at by countries, the highest investment in the two-month period came from Kazakhstan with 45%. This was followed by the USA with 11%, the Netherlands with 10%, Switzerland with 8%, and Germany with 5%.