Step by step towards the 2023 goals

The industrial drives that began with the founding of the Republic were carried out by the state in the early years, and in the 1970s State Economic Enterprises served Turkish industry. These enterprises formed the backbone of heavy industry and created large-scale employment in their regions for half a century.

With the transition to multi-party politics in 1950, private-sector investment came onto the agenda. The period after 1983 prepared Türkiye's industrialization for the European league: Turkish industrialists began to integrate with the global economy, and the concept of organized industrial zones spread across the country.

From 1990 onwards, as OIZs were established and domestic and foreign corporations began operating in them, "State Aid for Investments" became a key topic. The incentive legislation published in June 2012 and improved by subsequent communiqués was the greatest support given to Turkish investors in recent years.

We should also remember the public officials who worked hard on industrialization, on drafting the incentive laws and on bringing their implementing principles to every region of the country. Changes in public institutions, especially over the last decade, have shortened processes and given industrialists more opportunities to present themselves.

Turkish industrialists have never been merely low-cost producers. Today, the output of many companies operating in OIZs is built on R&D and innovation. Reaching the 2023 goals requires a better investment climate, less bureaucracy, and incentives directed towards critical, priority and environmentally friendly investments.

The Production Reform Package prepared for this purpose includes measures such as additional incentives in OIZs, industrial zones, technology development zones and free zones; abolition of the TRT levy for businesses registered in the industrial registry; exemptions from fees and property tax in planned industrial areas; and loan and interest support for OIZs.