Turkey at Davos with more positive outlook: Minister

Turkey is joining the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this year with a more positive outlook, the Turkish treasury and finance minister has said.

Turkey sees 2020 as an important year for foreign direct investment, Berat Albayrak said during the 50th WEF in Davos, on Jan. 22.

After an unsteady environment and currency attacks over the past 18 months, Turkey's circumstances have now taken a turn for the better, Albayrak highlighted.

Underlining that growth was the WEF's main focus this year after environmental concerns, he stressed that while "developed and developing countries' contributions to the world economy are decreasing," Turkey's 5 percent growth target for 2020 was important for the world.

The government also targets 5 percent growth both for 2021 and 2022.

The economy expanded 0.9 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2019 after contracting 2.3 percent in the first quarter and 1.6 percent in the second quarter

Turkey expected to attract $15 billion in foreign direct investment this year, Albayrak said in a speech in Istanbul earlier this week, adding that the country would leave 2019 behind with a soft landing and with a positive growth rate.

'Attractive destination'

Turkey's strategic location combined with its trade agreements with other countries will make it an even more attractive destination for investors in the coming years, said Murat Sönmez, the managing director of the WEF, on Jan. 22.

"This is a great opportunity for the country, the potential is even bigger if globalization 4.0 is implemented in the right way," Sönmez said.

Turkey could become a key player in international trade networks and play a bigger role...