UK Technology Conference 2020 was held in Istanbul on February 17 with the participation of Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank and Investment Office President Burak Dağlıoğlu.
The conference brought together leaders from business, academia, research centers, and government. There were a series of exclusive keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops in sectors spanning fintech, agritech, digital manufacturing, science, and innovation.
Minister Varank said in his speech, "I see this conference as a step for improving and deepening our relations much more after the Brexit period." Varank also stated that Türkiye will reach its 2023 targets by taking steps in technology, innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, human capital, and infrastructure. “Türkiye aims to boost the manufacturing industry's share of GDP to 21 percent and to raise the share of medium- and high-tech products to 50 percent of its exports," Varank said.
Investment Office also organized a roundtable meeting with the executives of UK-based companies in Türkiye, chaired by Minister Varank. This gave investors the opportunity to share their views with the Minister and Investment Office President Dağlıoğlu.
Dağlıoğlu said during the roundtable meeting, “The United Kingdom has been a top source of FDI in Türkiye. In 2019, the UK was the second largest country in terms of FDI inflows into Türkiye with USD 825 million. There are more than 3,300 active British companies in Türkiye and they have invested more than USD 11 billion in the country," he said. The Investment Office is ready to provide coordination and support to valued investors in their business dealings with ministries, local administrations, or other public institutions in Türkiye, he added.