Antalya:Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Zou Jiayi have finalized a multi-year investment plan for 2027-2029. This announcement followed their meeting at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), which is being hosted by Türkiye in Antalya.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the discussions centered around aligning the AIIB's financing with Türkiye's structural and economic reform priorities. The new era of cooperation will emphasize investments in railways, green transformation, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Specific focus areas include 5G connectivity, fiber-optic infrastructure, data centers, health technologies, and the high-value-added industrial sector.
Zou Jiayi highlighted that the AIIB shares Türkiye's investment priorities, particularly in railway projects such as the Middle Corridor and regional networks, which aim to enhance connectivity between Asia and Europe. The bank also emphasizes renewable energy, agricultural irrigation, and digital infrastructure, recognizing Türkiye's successful economic program as a driver for AIIB's expanding project portfolio within the country.
The Beijing-based AIIB, with a capital base of $100 billion and 111 member nations, has approved $78.1 billion in investments across 396 projects as of September. Türkiye, as the 10th-largest shareholder among 57 founding members, holds a 2.5% voting share and a $2.6 billion commitment. The country is the second-largest recipient of AIIB funds after India, with $9.4 billion approved for 45 projects nationwide.
Türkiye's active project portfolio with AIIB stands at $6.2 billion, representing 15.3% of the bank's global portfolio and placing Türkiye second worldwide. The upcoming multi-year investment pipeline includes significant infrastructure projects such as the $1.5 billion Istanbul Northern Railway Crossing (INRAIL), $415 million TCDD Railway Modernization, $156.1 million Antalya-Alanya Highway, $500 million climate resilience water project, and the $800 million Istanbul Seismic Risk Reduction initiative.