Turkey one of 'safest countries' in terms of investment

By Baris Gundogan

MANISA, Turkey (AA) - Turkey is still one of the world's most liberal and safest countries in terms of investment, the country’s president said on Saturday.

Speaking at the opening of PepsiCo factory in Turkey’s Aegean province of Manisa, Recep Tayyip Erdogan applauded Turkey’s economy despite the challenges it faced.

It has been the sixth factory of PepsiCo that opened in Turkey. The facility -- which has started operating with over $100 million investment -- employs 300 people.

“Turkey continues to be a safe harbor for international investors despite all instability around the country,” Erdogan said.

Turkish investments abroad reached $38 billion thanks to special incentives of myself and our government, he added.

“Total value of projects that Turkish contractors undertake worth $372 billion in 122 countries,” Erdogan said.

The president also stated that international and local investors would prefer to go to southeastern Turkey once it is cleared of terrorists.

“We will see those days. That day when there will be no trace of terror,” he added.

Turkey's exports hit an all-time high with $168.1 billion last year, the country's trade minister said on Friday.

Ruhsar Pekcan stated that exports in 2018 climbed 7.1 percent year-on-year, compared with nearly $157 billion in the previous year.