The 2025 First Quarter Economic Expectation Index Panel Was Held at Istanbul Ticaret University

The results of the “İYMMO Economic Expectation Index, Problems Encountered by Firms and Proposed Solutions, 2025 – Q1,” prepared in collaboration with Istanbul Ticaret University, the Academy for Thought and Project Development, the Center for Economic and Financial Applications and Research, and the Istanbul Chamber of Certified Public Accountants (İYMMO), were announced to the public at a panel hosted by Istanbul Ticaret University.

The panel, held on March 14, 2025, and also broadcast on YouTube, brought together prominent figures from academia and the business world. At the event, moderated by Dr. Mefule Fındıkçı Erdoğan, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration at Istanbul Ticaret University and Deputy Director of the Academy for Thought and Project Development, academics and industry representatives discussed the current state of the Turkish economy, the problems faced by firms, and proposed solutions.

The speakers at the panel were:

Prof. Dr. Nazım Ekren (Faculty Member in the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Business Administration, Istanbul Ticaret University, and Director of the Academy for Thought and Project Development),

Prof. Dr. Elçin Aykaç Alp (Head of the Department of Economics (English) at Istanbul Ticaret University and Director of the Center for Economic and Financial Applications and Research),

Müfit Erkarakaş (President of the Istanbul Chamber of Certified Public Accountants),

Vehbi Karabıyık (Former President of the Istanbul Chamber of Certified Public Accountants).

In addition, fourth-year students from the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Business Administration of Istanbul Ticaret University attended the event and had the opportunity to interact with industry experts. By closely following analyses supported by current data on the world of economics and finance, the students had the opportunity to reinforce their academic knowledge through practical engagement.

The Economic Expectation Index Is Conducted by Academics

The İYMMO Economic Expectation Index, prepared using primary data on more than 25,000 firms in Istanbul held by sworn-in certified public accountants, is conducted using academic methods by Istanbul Ticaret University Faculty of Business Administration faculty members Prof. Dr. Nazım Ekren, Prof. Dr. Elçin Aykaç Alp, and Dr. Mefule Fındıkçı Erdoğan. Published every three months, the index provides an important source of data for economic management, the business world, and policymakers. Growth and trend analyses are conducted across a total of 12 sectors within the scope of the index.

Economic expectation indices stand out as strategic tools that help businesses and public authorities make sound decisions. In this context, the İYMMO Economic Expectation Index serves as an important guide for investors and the business world by providing forecasts regarding the future of the Turkish economy.

What Do the Index Data for the First Quarter of 2025 Show?

According to the first-quarter 2025 results of the İYMMO Economic Expectation Index, economic expansion is continuing, although at a relatively slower pace compared to the previous period. Industrial production figures also support this trend, and it is projected that expectations of a moderate level of economic activity will continue.

Other important findings revealed by the index are as follows:

• Expectations show different trends depending on firm size and sector.
• While cautious expectations prevail in the textile, automotive, construction, and tourism sectors, an optimistic outlook is observed in the healthcare, banking and finance, and information technology sectors.
• The most prominent issues identified in the survey are inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and economic and political uncertainties.
• Increases in production costs negatively affect company performance.
• It was stated that the monetary and exchange rate policies implemented in Türkiye place pressure particularly on exporters.

The results of the index once again highlight the importance of long-term, sustainable economic policies rather than short-term policies.