2018 will be breakthrough year: Turkish tech minister

By Aysenur Saglam

ANKARA (AA) - 2018 will be a breakthrough year in technology, Turkey’s science, industry and technology minister told foreign investors in the capital Ankara on Tuesday.

Faruk Ozlu said that 2018 will be a breakthrough year in technology with Turkey's local production policy.

"This year, we will boost the number of our R&D centers to 1,000, design centers to 250, and technoparks to 80," said Ozlu.

In 2017, 436 R&D centers and 136 design centers were established in Turkey, making a total of 773 R&D centers and 142 design centers, he explained.

He added that five new technology development zones were established in 2017, and Turkey now boasts 69 technoparks, with five more on the way.

In a speech, Ozlu said foreign capital has made major contributions to Turkey's overseas expansion and development.

Ozlu said that Turkey has never been an introverted country, but is in fact a versatile country which tracks trends well and has stable policies which make its economy resistant to shocks.

Ozlu added that Turkey never retreated in the face of forces targeting its economy for political reasons.

-'Brilliant' 2017

Ozlu also said 2017 was a brilliant year for the Turkish economy.

"Thanks to our economic policies, our all sectors, especially finance, proved that they are durable and resistant.

“Now it is clear that Turkey has a very ripe environment for foreign investment. Direct foreign investment seeks secure countries.

“Turkey is a secure country for all. Our young, dynamic population of nearly 30 million is our biggest guarantee."

He added that Turkey’s industry grew 6.8 percent in 2017's first quarter, followed by 7.2 percent and 14.8 percent in the second and third quarters.

Turkey is focused on high technology and local production and will put this into practice with local and national production policies in 2018, he said.