Economic geography

It has tracked our globalizing world, following trade and tourist routes, leaving only distant and disconnected places untouched.

Technological progress has helped it travel faster. Instead of months or years, as pandemics used to take in the 14th century, it now takes only weeks to spread from one corner of the planet to another.

Turkey's share in global foreign direct investments (FDI) can double in the long term with the help of its geographical location, young population and economic dynamics, the head of Turkey's Investment Office said on Jan. 29.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has downgraded its growth forecasts for 2019-2021, primarily reflecting negative surprises to economic activity in a few emerging markets.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the fund expected global economy to grow 2.9 percent in 2019, 3.3 percent in 2020, and 3.4 percent in 2021

A World Bank report released late on Jan. 8 projected the Turkish economy would grow 3 percent in 2020 and 4 percent in 2021, rebounding from earlier financial turmoil at a faster pace than expected as domestic demand improves.

The bank revised its previous forecast that Turkey would contract 1 percent in June 2019 to 0 percent in its latest Global Economic Prospects report.

Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Bulgaria over the first nine months of the year have more than doubled, according to the Bulgarian National Bank, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov wrote on his Facebook page.

Turkey attracted $5.42 billion in net international direct investment from January to July this year, the Industry and Technology Ministry announced on Sept. 24.

According to preliminary data, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the non-financial sector as of December 31, 2018, amounted to EUR 25,454 million at current prices, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said in a press release.

 Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bulgaria registered a USD337.26 million surge from January to June this year on an annual basis.
Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) showed that Bulgaria's FDI posted during the first half of 0.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) from the 0.3 percent seen a year earlier during the same period.

Investors want to see a series of reforms and improvements in Greece before placing their money in an economy which holds significant potential, according to two surveys presented at an investment conference on Tuesday in Athens.

Next Tuesday, the 2nd InvestGR Forum 2019 in Athens will turn the spotlight on a key issue for the Greek economy: foreign direct investment.