Istanbul, April 25, 2026 – The Europe Today: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday expressed “cautious optimism” over ongoing ceasefire efforts, warning that certain actors were attempting to reignite regional conflict, while reaffirming Ankara’s commitment to securing a lasting peace.
Speaking at the Century of Türkiye – Strong Hub for Investment event held at the Dolmabahçe Presidential Office in Istanbul, the president said Türkiye was actively working to make the ceasefire permanent and pave the way for a just and sustainable resolution to tensions.
“While the intensity of the fire has subsided, neither our region nor the world can be 100% certain about the future,” Erdoğan said, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of recent geopolitical tensions on the global economy, including disruptions to energy, production, trade, tourism, and transportation sectors.
He noted that the ongoing crisis has contributed to one of the most volatile and uncertain periods in recent history, adding that Türkiye continues its diplomatic engagement in coordination with allied and friendly nations. Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye has successfully managed one of the most significant security challenges in recent years, reinforcing its role as a pillar of regional stability.
“The war, which is reshaping global economic order and value chains, has made our country a cornerstone of global economic stability,” he added, underlining Türkiye’s evolving position beyond a traditional East-West bridge to a key hub for energy and trade corridors.
New Economic Measures Announced
The president also unveiled a comprehensive package of economic reforms aimed at attracting global investment, strengthening financial markets, and positioning Türkiye as a regional hub for finance and innovation.
Among the key initiatives, Erdoğan announced new regulations to encourage Turkish citizens and companies to repatriate overseas assets, including money, gold, and securities, under favorable tax conditions.
He further revealed expanded tax incentives for institutions operating at the Istanbul Finance Center, including full exemptions on certain international trade earnings. The existing 50% tax deduction on transit trade and intermediary activities will be increased to 100%, effectively removing corporate tax obligations on such revenues.
Additional incentives will extend beyond the finance center, with up to 95% tax exemptions on transit trade activities conducted outside the hub.
Erdoğan also highlighted plans to attract multinational companies to establish regional headquarters in Türkiye by offering long-term tax benefits and income exemptions for qualified employees.
To streamline business processes, the government will introduce a fully digitalized system enabling investors to complete all procedures—from company registration to permits and tax transactions—through a single platform.
In support of exports, particularly for manufacturers, further tax reductions will be implemented, while returning nonresident individuals will benefit from a 20-year tax exemption on foreign income and a reduced inheritance tax rate of 1%.
The president also announced the launch of the first phase of the Terminal Istanbul Project, aimed at strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, alongside the introduction of project-based guarantees for large-scale investments to enhance predictability.
Reaffirming confidence in the country’s economic outlook, Erdoğan stated that Türkiye has developed the resilience and capacity to withstand global economic shocks more effectively than in the past.
