Amazon's first logistics center in Türkiye was officially inaugurated, marking a momentous occasion attended by the Turkish Grand National Assembly Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Committee Chairman Mustafa Varank, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Zekeriya Çoştu, Investment Office President A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, Amazon Europe and North America Operations Vice President Stefano Perego, Amazon Türkiye Operations General Manager Hakan Karadoğan, and Amazon Türkiye Country Manager Richard Marriott.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a note on the opening ceremony expressing his delight for the new logistics center that stands as a testament to a considerable investment exceeding USD 100 million and serving as a gateway to employment for hundreds of people. President Erdoğan stated, "The remarkable accomplishment of Amazon Türkiye, which initiated its commercial activities in Türkiye five years ago, deserves the utmost praise with an astounding export success of EUR 500 million in collaboration with 45,000 entrepreneurs. We anticipate a continuous growth in investments that not only generate employment opportunities but also contribute to value creation. As a country that has successfully attracted over USD 255 billion in FDI in the past 21 years, we firmly reject any differentiation between domestic and foreign capital." President Erdoğan highlighted the responsibility of providing steadfast support to individuals and companies who want to invest in Türkiye, while maximizing the potential of the country's dynamic economy. He also expressed a strong conviction that international investments, with a key role in Türkiye's development, will remain a driving force in shaping a prosperous future for Türkiye—referred to as the "Türkiye Century".
In his address at the opening, Turkish Grand National Assembly Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Committee Chairman Mustafa Varank said, “Amazon makes significant contributions, particularly to SMEs, to grow their businesses. I also consider the BiTıklaİhracat initiative, run jointly by Amazon Türkiye and the Ministry of Trade, to be valuable. Our businesses, regardless of their scale, are exporting for the first time and accessing global markets. With the official opening of this logistics center, the company's employment in Türkiye will rise even further."
In his remarks on the new center, Investment Office President A. Burak Dağlıoğlu said, "We announced Amazon's first logistics center in Türkiye, which has been operational since 2018, with Mr. Perego in March 2022. Investment Office collaborated closely and diligently with Amazon teams throughout the entire investment process, and today we are happy to open this new technology facility. We appreciate this plant for its investment value, employment size, business volume, contribution to online exports, and help for suppliers in Türkiye to access global markets. Our country's ever-evolving logistics infrastructure, digitalizing economy, and rising e-commerce industry create prospects for more investments under the leadership of our President. We congratulate the Amazon family on this significant investment announced on the 100th anniversary of our Republic and extend our gratitude to them for joining us on our path to make the “Türkiye Century" a century of investment."
During his speech at the event, Amazon Europe and North America Operations Vice President Stefano Perego said, "For years, Amazon has contributed to local development in the countries where it operates, creating many jobs and economic opportunities. I am happy to say that Türkiye is one of those countries. Since the inception of our operations in Türkiye in 2018, we have invested more than TRY 5.2 billion and currently employ more than a thousand people."
During the event, Amazon Türkiye Operations General Manager Hakan Karadoğan shared details regarding the modern and secure working environment provided by Amazon. "Our first logistics center in Türkiye is an indicator of our commitment to the country. Our center plays a significant role in meeting the growing customer demand and offers a wide range of employment opportunities, including engineering, IT, and operational roles. At Amazon, the well-being of our employees is central to our business model, and we prioritize creating a work environment that fosters safety, inclusion, and respect", he added.
During the official opening ceremony, Amazon Türkiye Country Manager Richard Marriott announced a significant achievement. He highlighted that in 2022, the number of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selling on Amazon in Türkiye experienced remarkable growth exceeding 45,000 with a 50 percent increase and an export volume of EUR 500 million.
Situated in Tuzla, Istanbul, Amazon's inaugural logistics center in Türkiye has not only generated a multitude of job opportunities but has also fostered the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Türkiye since the commencement of its operations in September 2022.