5/25/2012

Fitch praises Türkiye’s new incentive scheme

Hurriyet Daily News - International credit rating agency Fitch Ratings said yesterday that the Turkish government’s recently announced investment incentive scheme would be beneficial for strategic and large-scale investments in Türkiye for local and foreign groups.

The new incentive system differed from previous programs by aiming to reduce Türkiye’s dependency on imports, rather than providing financial support based solely on a geographical basis aiming to support underdeveloped regions in the country, according to Fitch.

“It will focus mainly on sectors like energy, mining, the automotive industry and tourism, which are considered the main sources of Türkiye’s wide current account deficit. As intermediate goods imports constitute 43 percent of Türkiye’s total production, the government is aiming to provide Turkish manufacturers with a competitive edge to reduce the portion of imports,” Fitch said.

Noting that the scheme would provide further impetus for new or delayed investment plans in the slowing economic environment, Fitch said it would take time before the full effect of the new system on the competitiveness of Turkish corporations becomes evident.

Fitch said the government would provide strategic support through VAT exemption, export tax exemption, tax deductions, employment insurance support, interest rate support and VAT refunds, and that the incentives could enhance some Turkish corporations’ competitive advantage by providing lower labor and financing costs.

“Fitch believes the new incentive system could provide some support to petrochemical companies, which are on the verge of making new investments. Petkim Petrokimya Holdings could be one of the companies that utilizes the new incentive system, as its management is planning to increase the capacity of its ethylene and PTA facilities capacity. The incentives could also support Turkish company Aka’s new carbon fiber investments, which are planned to reach USD 1 billion in the long term,” the agency said.
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