In order to address the feedback received from international investors about the difficulties in Turkey's investment environment, the Government of Turkey in 2001 has launched a Reform Program to improve administrative procedures.

The purpose of the Reform Program is to increase domestic and foreign investments by improving the investment environment. Thus, it is intended to prevent administrative obstacles faced during investments, to reduce or eliminate some unnecessary and repetitive bureaucratic transactions and to complete the procedures rapidly.

The Government enacted a 'Decree on Improving the Investment Environment in Turkey” on December 11, 2001 as a part of a national strategy to increase the overall level of income and productivity and to raise the level of competitiveness of firms operating in Turkey.

The said decree established a coordinating body, 'Coordination Council for the Improvement of the Investment Environment (CCIIE)”, with the mandate to identify and remove regulatory and administrative barriers to private investment.

The Government has taken several steps in compliance with the recommendations of the technical committees. Moreover, the new end- 2002 government has amended the Council of Minister's Decree to include another technical committee on Small and Medium Enterprises. To increase the influence of CCIIE, the government decided to head CCIIE by a minister.

For further information about CCIIE click here.