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ALGIERS, Algeria

Foreign investments directed toward the US are not a zero-sum game but rather a step toward expanding the worldwide investment landscape, according to the head of a global investment body.

“Our wish is for this (investment) pie to grow collectively, and we hope it will,” Ismail Ersahin, CEO of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), said in an interview with Anadolu.

Ersahin emphasized that investments made in one region can catalyze broader economic benefits elsewhere, with the spillover effects of the inflows eventually benefiting multiple economies.

On growing concerns over rising trade barriers, particularly in light of new US tariff decisions under President Donald Trump, he said such protectionist measures and trade wars harm long-term predictability.

Following the higher tariffs introduced by the Trump administration in April, several global firms have reportedly opted to relocate production to the US in order to mitigate tariff risks.

At the same time, major Gulf countries Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE have pledged to invest trillions of dollars in the US economy over the coming years.

Ersahin advised caution in interpreting such announcements, pointing out that while these global investments total around $1.5 trillion, the exact scope and impact of the recent pledges remain uncertain.

“These investment announcements can sometimes be populist announcements,” he warned.

“How much of this investment will be realized within this period? How much of it will really turn into employment? How much of it will really become industrial investment? We need to pay attention to these. If they can provide these, we will have made the pie bigger. This would be a very good thing for us.”

Türkiye’s investment outlook strengthens

Turning to Türkiye, Ersahin expressed optimism about the country’s growing appeal to foreign investors, with its foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows nearly doubling in the first quarter of 2025, reaching $3 billion.

While calling this a strong start, he insisted that the country has the potential to attract far more: “I also think that Türkiye is really starting to show its potential right now and will be in a much better position.”

Ersahin highlighted that political stability and government support are among Türkiye’s most compelling advantages, while also crediting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ability to “read the process with an investor’s eye.”

“He can look at the process with an investor’s eye, and that importance is given to this from the top, of course, makes the country an important destination in terms of investment,” he said.

Other strengths, he continued, include Türkiye’s youthful, educated labor force, strong export culture, and unique geopolitical positioning.

“I think Türkiye is one of the rare countries that can speak the language of the East and the West at the same time,” Ersahin said.

“Türkiye is truly a sea of stability. Türkiye is truly a sea of opportunities,” he added, asserting that the country has emerged as a safe haven amid geopolitical crises in the region.

He also emphasized that Türkiye has become a strategic hub amid global tensions, attracting companies – especially from China – looking for reliable entry points into Europe.

Chinese companies in particular have chosen Türkiye to transit to Europe, he added, citing as an example Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD’s $1 billion deal signed with Ankara last year to build a factory, along with a mobility and research center, in the country.

Ersahin reiterated that Türkiye’s ability to navigate different cultural and economic spheres gives it a unique edge.

“Türkiye’s ability to understand and speak very different languages and cultures provides very serious advantages,” he said. “There is no reason why investments should not increase even more.”

Ersahin also praised the role of the Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye, under the leadership of Ahmet Burak Daglioglu, in executing the country’s strategic FDI vision.

“We are teaching Türkiye’s international direct investment strategy as a lesson to other countries. They have done such successful work,” he concluded.