“Turkey is pushed to become the next base for high-tech products”

Interview with Mehmet Kirca. Kirca is one of the leading experts in the Turkish and European nanotech industry and works for the Turkish branch of the Enterprise Europe Network >>

Are there figures on future demand for high tech products in Turkey?

Kirca: The young & dynamic population sparks the use and need for high-tech products, thus making a pull on the high-tech manufacture/production industry in Turkey. Local players are looking towards new ventures and investments along with the Global players who are willing to exist on Turkish scene or already have done so. The geographical importance and the regulatory circumstances certainly push Turkey to become the next base for high-tech products. The rising GDP and the future goals to be within the Top 10 economies provide excellent opportunities for the foreign investment and incentives/subsidies are catalysts for the situation.

Which could be the role of foreign companies in Turkish tech transfer? Could you already name specific opportunities?

Kirca: Although there are a lot of promising ready to commercialise intellectual properties in the universities, the lack of established venture funds and interphases that can guide the entrepreneur in the field of IP management, the desired success has not been reached. On the contrary, the participating of Turkish companies in EU based projects is rapidly increasing mainly in Nano based calls. This shows there is a huge opportunity for foreign companies, who are experienced in EU project and searching for high quality-low cost partners for their projects.

What role will nanotech play with regard to public schemes; what kind of nanotech-related government initiatives do exist in Turkey?

Kirca: Currently, there is no sector specific classification of public incentives in Turkey. Thus, one cannot mention any public funding mechanism specially focused on nanotechnological activities. However there is a great expectation that in the following five year period sector specific governmental funding mechanisms will be formed.

Please give an approximation on how many Turkish university institutes work on nanotech and how many Turkish nanotech companies do exist

Kirca: There are about 140 universities in Turkey and with an approximation one can say that around 50 percent are dealing with nanotechnology. Today, companies that are engaged in nanotechnological research and production thoroughly would not exceed 50 in Turkey. Majority of these companies are start-ups and micro enterprises.

Thank you Mr. Kirca.

Source: GTAI Berlin/Enterprise Europe Network der Sabanci Universität Istanbul