Gunay also said that ”with 31.4 million tourists, Turkey has in 2011 been the sixth destination worldwide and has increased its sector by 9.8%” The minister pointed out that the EU’s tourism ”which is the third economy in the Union” has everything to gain from Turkey’s entrance to the EU, making it ”more stable and dynamic”.

Gunay then expressed his ”dissatisfaction” regarding the failed talks on instruction and culture, something he maintains is instead ”crucial for effectively joining the EU” The minister concluded that Turkey’s entry in the EU ”will no doubt bring benefits in several areas, economical, social and cultural’

Turkish Development Bank Secures 75 Million Euros Loan from EIB

In other news The Development Bank of Turkey (DBT) has signed a 75 million euro loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the ‘Development of Small and Big Enterprises (DBT Loan for Renewable Energy and Energy Productivity).’

Since the DBT opened channels with the EIB in 2002 it has secured some 462.5 million euros in loans. The latest laosn is to be used in the fight against climate change through projects in renewable energy, energy productivity and energy efficiency.

Now, I am not going to be another one to say “Turkey looks like it may be upgraded in the next x months” because I have heard myself saying it all before. What I will say is that, upgrade or not Turkey is finally beginning to make some real moves as a real estate giant in the making.

Last week Donald Trump opened a Trump Tower in Istanbul. That is not so significant on its own, in fact it is one shopping mall out of well over 1 million square meters of shopping mall space that has been constructed over the past year. However, what is significant is the fact that Trump has chosen Turkey to make his first foray into Europe; that’s right Trump Towers Istanbul is the first of its kind in Europe.

Last year 1.1 million square feet of shopping mall floor was constructed in Turkey according to a recent report by Cushman and Wakefield, giving Turkey the second largest construction pipeline in Europe behind Russia.

‘Positive recent operating trends have been observed in all commercial property types,’ Senay Azak-Matt, General Manager Turkey at German lender Aareal told Property EU magazine. ‘Recent increasing retail turnovers indicate a sustainable environment for projects with strong fundamentals. Meanwhile, the logistics segment, due to a shortage of quality warehouses, is expected to provide further development opportunities, with still high land prices but increasing rental levels.’

After reporting on expert predictions of an upgrade for Turkey in the next 18 months (ahem), the magazine again quotes Azak-Matt saying that more and more investors are paying real attention to Turkey as it continues to be among the best performers in Europe.

Before yesterday only foreigners from countries that allowed Turks to buy property could buy property in Turkey, this prevented nationals from 89 countries from buying in Turkey. The final decision on the articles of the law will be made by the Cabinet, which will be able to determine which of the 89 countries will be added to the list of countries whose citizens are able to purchase property.

The law is unsurprisingly expected to bring thousands more buyers and millions more dollars into the Turkish property market. Although the main currencies will likely be Dirham (UAE), Riyals (Qatar, Saudi Arabia) and other currencies from Arab countries. Many Arab nationalities were prevented from buying by the lack of their countries reciprocity, they are now allowed to buy, and with Turkey’s current popularity in the Arab world, along with the lack of compeition due to the lingering effects of the Arab Spring, Arab buyers are expected to pour into Turkey.

In a press conference on Sunday held in Istanbul where other scenes have been filmed, Sam Mendes, the director of the film, said what a wonderful time they have had in Turkey and how magnificent Istanbul is with Daniel Craig singing the praises of Fethiye itself.

Of course this isn’t the first visit by Mr Bond as Skyfall is the third film to have scenes shot in Turkey.
So for us here in Fethiye, we wait with bated breath to see our hero jump from an historic bridge in Adana and emerge from the water in Çalış (it could only happen in the movies) and we hope to catch that eventful clip with our beloved Fethiye as the back drop there on the big screen.