Why Turkey's banking sector has helped drive performance

TURKEY

Maria Merricks finds out how well-capitalised, well-regulated banks and strong demographics make Turkey an attractive investment destination.

As its European neighbours battled negative growth and the threat of recession, last year saw Turkey buck the trend. An increase in GDP of 8.5% – following a 9% rise the previous year – placed its economy firmly on the leader board as one of the best performing of 2011 and one of the fastest growing in the world. A look at the country’s fundamental backdrop suggests such levels of growth are unsurprising. Turkey is located on the edge of two continents, ideally placed to call on both the East and the West as trade partners. Its debt to GDP ratio is also low: public debt stood at 40% of G...