The Turkish president has made a pitch for more international investment in his country, saying it serves as a gateway to high-growth economies in the Caucasus and Middle East.

Abdullah Gul told members of Austria's business community Tuesday that his nation has a young, dynamic and increasingly educated population and that in a decade it is expected to rank among the world's 10 largest economies.

Gul said: "Turkey offers opportunities that should be seized." Austria is already Turkey's largest international investor with foreign direct investment last year totaling US$1.8 billion.

Gul and his wife are in the Alpine country on a state visit.