Mahfi Eğilmez warned: This could get us into a lot of trouble in the future

Economist Mahfi Eğilmez warned that the 31-month contraction in Turkey's manufacturing sector and the decline in investment could create serious economic difficulties ahead by eroding the country's competitiveness. The warning points to a prolonged industrial downturn that has persisted for more than two and a half years, alongside weakening capital spending. Eğilmez framed these trends as structural vulnerabilities rather than a short-term fluctuation, suggesting they could weigh on future growth. The commentary matters because sustained manufacturing weakness and falling investment typically feed through to employment, exports and overall productivity. What to watch next is whether Turkish industrial activity and investment indicators show signs of stabilizing, or whether the slump extends further.