Dünya – Holding the Vice Presidency of World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Türkiye (ISPAT) has hosted the organization’s Steering Committee meeting in Istanbul.
Attended by member countries from all over the world, the two-day gathering provided networking and collaboration opportunities for the investment promotion agencies (IPAs) on attracting foreign direct investments (FDI) at a time of sluggish global economic growth.
Addressing the audience on the closing day of the meeting, Ilker Ayci, the President of ISPAT and the Vice-President of WAIPA, said that the slowdown in FDI traffic was felt throughout the world and all countries were experiencing a drop in FDI inflows.
“Despite the ongoing global anxiety due to China’s falling GDP growth rate and changes in US monetary policy, Türkiye continues to be seen as a safe haven for investors with its political and economic stability. Attracting USD 12.5 billion of FDI last year, Türkiye emerged as the leader in FDI inflow in the Middle East and climbed two notches in the global ranking to the 23rd spot.“, Ayci said, adding that ISPAT would be announcing new investments in Türkiye either by the end of this year or the beginning of 2014.
Expressing his views on WAIPA’s mission, the ISPAT President said that the organization was fulfilling an important role as a point of reference in exchanging ideas and experiences. “Türkiye made its presence felt in this organization. We aim to make WAIPA a more effective and affluent organization.”, he noted.
Also speaking at the event, the WAIPA CEO, Carlos Bronzatto, said the change in WAIPA leadership also reflected a geopolitical shift. “WAIPA was at first European led. Brazil followed Europe. Now it is Türkiye and South Africa at the helm.” he remarked.
Bronzatto praised Türkiye’s growing international ties, likening the country’s performance to its national air carrier, the Turkish Airlines, the world leader in the number of flight destinations. “Türkiye matches the Turkish Airlines in being global.”, he said.
WAIPA is a non-governmental organization founded in 1995, which acts as a forum for cooperation and exchange of best practices for the promotion and development of investments. ISPAT will hold the Vice-Presidency of the 164-member organization until 2015.