ISTANBUL - Turkish business world is hopeful about 2010, thanks to economic recovery in the last months of 2009.
The recovery observed in economic figures in the last months of 2009 has turned the expectations of the Turkish business world for 2010 to positive.
Haluk Dincer, a member of the Turkish Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said Thursday he did not expect a quick growth in global economy in 2010.
"Therefore, it is not so possible to achieve a high growth figure in Turkey," Dincer also said.
Dincer said he was optimistic about the medium-term program for 2010, and Turkey would grow over 5 percent in 2010 with a strong dialogue between the government and business world.
The TUSIAD member defined the most important risk before Turkey's economy as the political climate, and said leaders should undertake significant duties to ensure political peace otherwise it would have serious impact on the country.
Dincer said both Turkey and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) needed a bilateral agreement, and expressed hope that the fund and Turkey would sign a deal soon.
Also, Tanil Kucuk, the chairperson of the Executive Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), said industrial production in Turkey shrank 13.1 percent in the first ten months of 2009, but grew 6.5 percent in October 2009 over October 2008.
"This positive development has boosted our morale, however we should not forget that industrial output has not gained stability yet," he said.
Kucuk referred to the rise in Turkish exports in October, for the first time in 13 months, and said the foreign exchange rates should at least be kept at this current level in order to maintain hopes for exports in 2010.
The chairperson also said it would take longer for Turkey to recover from this recent economic crisis, when compared with that in 2001.
"Our aim from now on will be to stabilize rise in production, and also ensure a positive figure in consumption and investment expenditures. A success in these areas will also be a remedy for unemployment," he said.
Also, the International Investment Association (YASED) does not expect a full recovery in international direct investments in 2010, however it sees it possible to turn back to pre-crisis figures only in 2011.
The association forecasts direct capital inflow below 9 billion USD at the end of 2009, and a bit higher in 2010.
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Ibrahim Aybar, the chairperson of the Executive Board of Automotive Distributors' Association (ODD), said nobody should expect a growth in automotive market unless Turkey recorded an economic growth and income per capita rose.
"It is possible for us to see a drop in automotive and commercial vehicle market in 2010 over 2009 If measures to revive domestic market are not taken, we expect a stagnation in 2010," he said.
Also, Turgay Tanes, the chairperson of the Executive Board of the Association of Real Estate Investment Companies (GYODER), said he forecast a limited demand rise, a relative rise in investments and supply, but a fall in stocks in 2010.
Turkey's ready-to-wear industry is another sector that expects positive developments in 2010.