rt to remove barriers to entry for foreign firms, the government has withdrawn its supervisory role from the market economy. These and other neoliberal reforms have dramatically increased foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, "Turkey's market reforms, strong growth and economic and political stability have attracted larges amounts of foreign direct investment. In 2007, Turkey attracted almost $20 billion a year in FDI" (Country, 2008, p. 2).
Previously, Turkey's government and legislative process played a heavy role in industry and the market economy. However, Turkey's policies and reforms and those associated with MENA membership have reversed this situation. As one business analyst maintains, "The elimination of political interference in the economy, public sector reform and the consolidation of the financial sector together pave the way to better functioning market economy and sustainable high growth" (Business, 2008, p. 1). Business analysts are not the only ones to agree that Turkey's government has significantly reduced its interference in the economy.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports that prior to 2005, foreign direct investment in Turkey averaged less than $1 billion per year, but ongoing economic and judicial reforms coupled with prospective EU membership are likely to boos
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