ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the economic structure of the country from a social and political perspective. This is followed by evaluations of the foreign direct investment regime and Turkeys' foreign trade and trade policies. Two main factors greatly contributed to pursuing a liberal foreign trading system on the principles of "free and fair" competition, non-discrimination and elimination of barriers to trade. The first factor is the obligations to be fulfilled under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the second factor is the negotiations with the European Union (EU) aiming at full membership of Turkey. The chapter examines Turkey's position in international agriculture and services negotiations together with external and internal impositions. It deals with labour organisations and occupation chambers and then turns attention to employers' organisations. According to the economic indicators, the overall picture of Turkey is clear: despite strong real economic growth, unemployment is quite high and public debt and account deficit are rising sharply.
