Ankara: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) made a record investment of £2.7 billion ($3.2 billion) in Trkiye last year, marking Trkiye as the bank's largest country of operation in terms of annual investment, according to the bank's managing director for Trkiye and the Caucasus, Elisabetta Falcetti, who spoke to Anadolu. According to Anadolu Agency, several factors contributed to this strong investment performance. Falcetti highlighted a growing investment appetite within the Turkish private sector, increased competitiveness among domestic firms, and support for the green transition as key drivers. She emphasized the importance of human capital development in boosting investment performance, pointing to initiatives like the 'Youth in Business' program launched last year. This program, a pound 250 million ($298.7 million) initiative, supports the growth of SMEs owned or managed by young entrepreneurs, complementing the decade-old 'Women in Business' program. Falcetti also noted the E BRD's ongoing support to earthquake-affected regions in Trkiye. After the devastating earthquake in 2023, the bank announced a response package focusing on reconstructing services and utilities in affected municipalities and supporting private sector clients in these regions. The bank has exceeded the initial £1.5 billion ($1.7 billion) earthquake response target, demonstrating its commitment to recovery efforts. Despite a challenging 2025 marked by market volatility and external shocks, the Turkish private sector's investment appetite remained robust, with 90% of the $3.2 billion investment directed towards private companies. This resilience reflects the dynamism of Turkish enterprises, which have adapted to manage crises effectively. Since beginning operations in Trkiye in 2009, the EBRD has cumulatively invested over £23 billion ($27.4 billion). Currently, the bank's active portfolio in Trkiye stands at approximately £8 billion ($9.5 billion), with more than 80% of these investments going to the private sector. The EBRD collaborates with partner financial institutions in Trkiye for on-lending specific purposes, such as the Green Economic Financing Facility (GEFF), the Digital Transformation Financing Facility (DTFF), and the sustainable Supply Chain Financing Facility, all aimed at supporting SMEs. The EBRD's earthquake response package of $1.7 billion covers diverse projects, including significant loans to municipalities like Hatay, Adiyaman, and Mersin to rebuild infrastructure and strengthen utility services. Additionally, the bank financed energy distributor Enerjisa Energy to reconstruct damaged networks and aid the transition to renewable energy. Falcetti emphasized the importance of macroeconomic stability for attracting investment in Trkiye, noting the government's focus on disinflation. The EBRD's new country strategy aligns with Trkiye's priorities, including supporting human capital development and enhancing regional integration and connectivity. Trkiye's strategic location linking Asia and Eu rope positions it as a hub for transport, energy, and digital projects. The EBRD is exploring numerous projects to strengthen Trkiye's role in these sectors. Looking ahead, the EBRD expects Trkiye's economy to grow by around 3.5% in 2026. Despite past challenges, the resilience of Turkish industry and the financial system offers hope for continued growth. The EBRD plans to surpass last year's record investment level in 2026, with initiatives like the Trkiye Industrial Decarbonization Investment Platform aiming to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries by 2030. The bank has committed to investing up to $5 billion in this effort, demonstrating its dedication to supporting Trkiye's sustainable economic growth.