Hurriyet Daily News - As Türkiye's defense industry grows, Teknopark Istanbul, a new R&D center, is aiming to become one of the best in defense technologies in Europe. Speaking at the signing ceremony for the establishment of the Teknopark Istanbul project between the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), Türkiye’s Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said the high-tech R&D labs will help increase foreign investments to Türkiye. Gonul said that “Teknopark Istanbul” will be one of the leading R&D centers in Europe. “At present, there are 37 technology development zones in Türkiye. There are more than 1,200 active companies in these zones, employing more than 12,000 people”, said Gonul.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Murat Yalcintas, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, said Teknopark Istanbul will host more than 1,000 companies, creating more than 30,000 jobs. “The total local added-value, which will be created by this technopark, is estimated at USD 10 billion”, he said, adding that companies can begin moving into the facilities at the beginning of next year. Studies on defense, aerospace, biotechnology, nanotechnology, marine technologies and other high-tech branches will take place in Teknopark Istanbul.