Industry

In defiance of global economic woes, Turkey managed to grow its export base, which resulted in an increase in industrial production of 9%. Turkey has been seen as an inexpensive alternative to European export products, mainly for regional buyers, and the country has hosted a booming trade in consumer goods. Vehicle sales rose by some 14%, steel production by 17%, and white goods sales jumped 19% in 2011. The government is currently focused on increasing investments into research and development (R&D), in the interest of making Turkey a value-added and high-tech exporter. Free zones and technology parks are central to this strategy, as are a raft of newly announced incentives for investors into R&D activities. The chapter has interviews with several of Turkey’s top industrial players, including Hüseyin Özdilek, the Chairman of Özdilek Holding; Tuncay Özilhan, the CEO of Anadolu Group; and Muharrem Dortkasli, the President & CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries.