Turkish construction firms maintain global reach with steady 2025 start

Turkish construction companies undertook international projects worth $560 million in the first quarter of 2025, as Türkiye continues to rank among the world’s top 10 countries in international contracting revenue with a strong track record in global infrastructure and development projects.

So far in 2025, Turkish contractors have launched 14 new international projects, with an average value nearing $40 million.

According to Türkiye’s Trade Ministry, in 2023, Turkish firms undertook 343 overseas projects with a total value of $29.2 billion, despite ongoing global economic uncertainty and the prolonged effects of the Russia-Ukraine war. In comparison, 2022 saw a higher number of projects—512—but with a lower total value of $20.1 billion.

The average value of projects has fluctuated in recent years. In 2021, the average stood at $69.5 million, dropping to $39.3 million in 2022. However, it rebounded to $64.6 million in 2023 and reached a record-high $85.1 million in 2024.

Russia remains the leading destination for Turkish contractors

Since Turkish contractors began operating internationally in 1972, they have completed 12,505 projects worth approximately $535.3 billion across 137 countries.

The majority of these projects have been concentrated in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), accounting for 43.7% of the total value. This is followed by the Middle East with a 25.4% share, and Africa with 18.1%.

Europe and the Asia-Pacific region have also been key markets, with Turkish firms undertaking projects worth $49.7 billion and $14.3 billion, respectively. In the Americas, Turkish contractors have delivered projects worth $4.6 billion.

Russia remains the leading destination for Turkish overseas construction projects, totaling $103 billion to date. It is followed by Turkmenistan ($54 billion), Iraq ($35.3 billion), Saudi Arabia ($33.7 billion), and Libya ($31.4 billion).

Other major markets include Kazakhstan ($29.6 billion), Algeria ($22.7 billion), Azerbaijan ($20.6 billion), Qatar ($20.3 billion), and the United Arab Emirates ($17.7 billion).

In terms of project types, roads, tunnels, and bridges account for the largest share at 13.9%, followed by residential construction (13.4%), power plants (8.4%), railways (7%), and commercial centers (6.8%).