Relation with CPMI (CPSS)
CPMI (CPSS) is one of the committees within the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and serves as a forum for central banks to follow the developments in both domestic and cross-border payment and settlement systems. Moreover, the CPMI (CPSS) cooperates with countries to prepare Redbook reports comprising assessments of the payment systems infrastructure in order to develop the payment systems infrastructure globally.

The CBRT became a member of the Committee on November 13, 2009. Three descriptive Redbooks, two of which were before the membership, has been prepared in cooperation with CPSS(CPMI) regarding the payment and securities settlement systems in Turkey in 2002, 2007 and 2012. Since the initiation of membership, Statistical Redbook reports are prepared every year regarding the last five years. Moreover, the CBRT is actively involved in several working groups of the CPMI (CPSS) and contributes to preparation of reports published by CPMI (CPSS).

Payment Systems Workshop
Further to these works, the Central Bank and the CPMI (CPSS) jointly hold Regional Payment Systems Workshops. The workshop aims to provide a platform for the central banks of the region to exchange views on the payment system reform process in their individual countries, on the role of the respective central banks in managing change in payment systems and on how developments in the region link with broader global trends.

The workshop has been organized annually since 2001 and delegates from about 20 central banks attend the workshop every year. The region of participating countries covers the Balkans, East Europe, North Africa, Middle East, and Central Asia.

Training and Technical Cooperation Activities
Various training programs are provided and technical cooperation activities are carried out by the CBRT regarding the payment systems area via both Istanbul School of Central Banking and bilateral links with other countries’ central banks

Date: 13 March 2017

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Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, drew attention to the significance of the agreement signed between Turkish and Italian Eximbanks as well as the need of new trade volume target. DEİK and its Counterpart Confindustria will establish a joint platform to seize business opportunities and to boost trade volume from 18 billion USD to 30 billion USD.
Renewal of Turkey- EU Custom Union will contribute significantly to EU and trade volume will increase by 55-60 percent. Turkish and Italian business communities will benefit from the renewal and he announced that Turkish Trade Center will be established in Italy in 2017. In the sectors of tourism and energy two countries complete each other; furthermore, new investments are kicked out in the energy sectors.

Italian Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda, stated that Turkey can always trust Italy in the matters of EU, furthermore, during the Custom Union renewal Italy will act as supervisor and will follow up the procedure. Turkey shouldered great responsibility regarding illegal migration and Calenda thanked Turkey for its great efforts. The agreement between to Exim Banks will accelerate investment and necessary studies will be carried out to correctly inform and guide investors.
Italian Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda expressed that Turkey and Italy are stronger in different countries of Africa and partnership efforts should be accelerated. Turkey and Italy do not only have economic interest, as a result, their partnership will be very fertile.

DEİK President Ömer Cihad Vardanstated that Turkey and Italy is in a great harmony and synchronization. In the past two years trade is declining between two countries, thus, business communities from both countries should expand this volume as soon as possible. Italy has chosen Turkey as a “Target Country” and this is very important for Turkey, as a result, many new partnerships will be established in the sectors of energy, agriculture, automotive, food, start-ups, innovative technology and renewable energy.
Turkey-EU Custom Union negotiations will start soon and DEİK hopes that Custom Union will be completed soon addressing many chronicle problems between Turkey and EU. Turkey hopes for permanent solutions to chronicle problems such as transportation quota, driver license, Visa practice to Turkish citizens. Business communities of Turkey and Italy can do much greater projects than today via joint projects.

DEİK/Turkey-Italy Business Council President Burak Vardanindicated that opportunities in both countries should come to live. Both economy complete each other, thus, project in third countries should be initiated. Partnerships in the field of health, infrastructure and energy would be beneficial for both countries. “To be a key player in the global economic arena, both countries should form partnerships not only in Italy and Turkey but in Africa, Iran, Middle East and Central Asia”.

Turkey-Italy Trade Figures (Ministry of Economy-2016)
Turkish export to Italy: 7.5 billion USD
Main export items: Automobile, motor vehicles, crustaceans, parts and components for land vehicles, iron-steel
Turkish import from Italy: 10.2 billion USD
Main import items:Parts and accessories for land vehicles, petroleum oils, diesel, semi-diesel engines, motor vehicles
Trade Volume: 17.8 billion USD
Trade Balance:2.6 billion USD in favor of Italy

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Some key facts and figures in the Turkish real estate sector include:

• The real estate sector accounted for approximately 5 percent of GDP in the last decade. On the investment side, FDI inflow rose to USD 16.5 billion, with real estate and construction garnering USD 4.1 billion (24.8 percent) of total FDI in 2015.
• Urban renewal and mega projects dominate the agenda for the foreseeable future, particularly in Istanbul. Some projects in the city include the Marmaray, Canal Istanbul, the third Bosporus Bridge, and Istanbul’s third airport.
• It is estimated that around 6.7 million residential units nationwide will be demolished and rebuilt over the next 20 years, meaning an average of 334,000 units per year. Around USD 15 billion of financing will be required each year for urban renewal projects. In total, a budget of USD 400 billion has been allocated for this initiative, with the private sector taking the lead role.
• According to the Knight Frank Global House Price Index, Turkey ranked first in the 55-location index in Q4 of 2015 in terms of annual price growth index. Turkey saw a year-on-year increase of 18.4 percent and thus emerged as the top-performing housing market in the world, ahead of New Zealand, Sweden, and Australia.
• The total number of houses sold in the Turkish property market reached 1,289,320 units in 2015; likewise sales of real estate to foreigners began to increase following the abolishment of the reciprocity law in 2012. In 2015, 22,830 houses were sold to foreigners in Turkey, marking a year-on-year increase of 20.4 percent. With regard to house sales to foreigners, Istanbul was the top-performing province with 7,493 sales in 2015, followed by Antalya with 6,072 sales, Bursa with 1,501 sales, and Yalova with 1,425 sales.
• Office construction licenses obtained throughout Turkey increased by 27 percent, and together totaled 7 million square meters of additional planned office space in 2013. Class-A office space supply is expected to reach 6.5 million square meters by the end of 2017 with the completion of projects such as the Istanbul Finance Center, which, according to projections, will provide employment for 30,000 people.
• 368 shopping centers are operational in Turkey with a total gross leasable area of 10.89 million square meters. 108 shopping centers in Istanbul with a total gross leasable area of 4 million square meters represent 37 percent of the total leasable shopping center area in Turkey.
• According to JLL’s Cross Border Retailer Attractiveness Index 2015, Istanbul is the 7^th most attractive market in Europe after London, Paris, Moscow, Milan, Madrid and Rome.
• In spite of the growth in recent years, Turkey is still below the average of total leasable area per person compared to the European average. This indicates potential for further retail growth in Turkey.
• By the end of 2015, there were 13,615 registered accommodation facilities. 9,188 of these facilities were licensed by their respective municipalities, while the remaining 4,427 held tourism operation licenses. The combined total bed capacity of these facilities exceeds 1,250,000, although there is still a gap between supply and demand, particularly in Istanbul.
• There are currently 281 projects in the pipeline that would add 74,130 much-needed beds to Turkey’s short supply.

 Date: 13 March 2017

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.