Gateway to Two Continents

Why Invest in
Istanbul?

The only city in the world spanning two continents — where ancient civilisations, modern capital markets, and 15 million people converge at the crossroads of the world's most vital trade routes.

Explore
The City's Proposition

Capital of Civilisations,
Engine of Tomorrow

Istanbul has always been the capital of many civilisations throughout history, carrying its strength from past to future. With its dynamic habitat and cosmopolitan structure, it offers new economic opportunities and cultural attractions that are unmatched in the region.

Istanbul plays an essential role in the region's cultural, political, and economic spheres — connecting Europe and Asia through its intercontinental bridge mission. Positioned on the Silk Road and Spice Trade routes, Istanbul continues this legacy today through the Belt and Road Initiative, linking Beijing to London.

Located at the intersection of global connections, Istanbul sits at the centre of a worldwide trading volume of $30 trillion, within a 4-hour flight radius of 1.6 billion people. Moreover, Istanbul's working hours overlap with both Asian and European markets simultaneously — making it a uniquely powerful business hub.

Global Rankings
  • 33
    Ease of Doing Business — World Bank ranks Turkey 33rd among 190 countries for its favourable investment climate (2020 Index).
  • 7
    Best Country to Live & Work — HSBC Expat Explorer 2019 ranks Turkey 7th globally for quality of life for international workers.
  • 47
    Logistics Performance Index — World Bank places Turkey 47th among 160 countries for trade and transport efficiency.
  • 13
    Islamic Finance Country Index — Turkey ranks 13th among 48 nations in Participation Finance (2019).
  • ✓
    Low cost of living and business operations, combined with a fair and transparent tax system — making Istanbul highly competitive against other global cities.
Strategic Position
At the centre of
$30 trillion in global
trade flows
1.6B
People within a 4-hour flight radius
4h
Daily overlap with Asian working hours
6h
Daily overlap with European working hours
250+
Direct flight destinations from Istanbul airports
15M
Population — Europe's largest city
2
Continents joined by a single metropolis
The Investment Case

10 Pillars of Istanbul's Advantage

From a robust economy to a liberal investment climate — Istanbul's fundamentals make an exceptionally compelling case for global capital.

01

Robust Economy

Turkey climbed from 18th to 13th globally from 2003–2019, posting an average annual GDP growth rate of 5.5% — one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

02

Large Regional Markets

Income per capita grew from $3,581 in 2002 to $9,632 in 2018 — driven by sustained domestic demand and Turkey's expanding regional market reach.

03

Strategic Location

A natural bridge between East and West, and North and South — Istanbul creates an efficient, cost-effective hub to major global markets on three continents.

04

Favourable Demographics

Turkey's young and well-educated population is a significant competitive advantage as investors face ageing populations and shrinking labour pools across Europe.

05

Skilled Labour Force

At around 32.7 million people, Turkey has the 3rd largest labour force in Europe — highly skilled, competitive in cost, and growing in technical expertise year on year.

06

Continuous Reforms

The Turkish government has consistently prioritised structural reforms for qualified workforce development, innovative production, sustainable growth, and international cooperation.

07

World-Class Infrastructure

Istanbul Airport, new metro lines, the Marmaray tunnel, and third bridge across the Bosphorus represent multi-billion dollar infrastructure investments reshaping connectivity.

08

Liberal Investment Climate

Turkey's investment legislation is simple and complies with international standards — offering equal treatment for all investors, domestic and foreign alike.

09

Advantageous R&D Ecosystem

The government targets 2% of the public budget for R&D investment. Turkey already exceeds 1% and is home to growing technology zones and innovation hubs across Istanbul.

10

Lucrative Incentives

A comprehensive incentives programme — applicable to greenfield and brownfield projects alike — minimises upfront cost burdens and accelerates investment returns.

Free Resource

Your Complete Guide to Buying Real Estate in Istanbul

From property search through to title deed transfer — our comprehensive guide covers every step of the Turkish real estate purchase process for international buyers.

  • Legal framework & property rights for foreigners
  • Step-by-step purchase process explained
  • Taxes, fees & costs broken down
  • Citizenship by investment pathway
  • Financing & mortgage options available
Instant Access
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