"No matter who is in charge and which political party rules, the Turkish economy has benefited a great deal due to the policies of the past few years and continues to be a key market for Gulf investors", Amjad Ahmad, chief executive of Nbk Capital Investment and Merchant Banking, told the Turkish Daily News. Speaking on the likely effects of the political uncertainty on foreign investors, Ahmad said "they believe in Turkey in the long-term. It is a strong economy and things are improving day by day".

"Considering the given huge liquidity surplus in our region and the lack of investments opportunities within the region itself, Middle Eastern investors have to look outside", Ahmad said, speaking on the sidelines of the Euromoney Turkey Finance and Investment Forum.

"I think places like Egypt and Turkey have benefited from that and they will continue to benefit and the Gulf's private equity funds consider Turkey as a safe haven to invest in the long- term" he added.

AA