Global foreign direct investment flows are projected to reach $1.3 trillion over the next five years, with emerging markets drawing roughly $410 billion of that total, according to Karl Sauvant, executive director of Columbia University's Program on International Investments and a special adviser to the UN Millennium Project.
Sauvant made the remarks at an OECD roundtable in Istanbul focused on improving Türkiye's investment climate. He said Türkiye's inbound investment levels are expected to hold steady for the foreseeable future, and that more companies are likely to compete for foreign capital, not fewer.
He also flagged that Türkiye recorded roughly $1 billion in capital outflows last year, calling it a matter the government should monitor closely.
On the broader competitive landscape, Sauvant warned that as more players enter global investment markets, countries will face intensifying rivalry for the same pool of capital. He cautioned against relying heavily on financial incentives, recommending that governments focus instead on infrastructure and workforce training. "FDI quality is more important than the amount," he said, arguing that incoming investment should generate real added value for host economies.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.