A Signature Ceremony was held at the İzmir Institute of Technology

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A signature ceremony for the launch of the İzmir Institute of Technology (İYTE) was held with the participation of Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Dr. Faruk Özlü, TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office Prof. Dr. Habip Asan and Rector of İzmir İnstitute of Technology Prof. Dr. Mustafa Güden.

The signature ceremony of the İzmir İnstitute of Technology Project was held in İzmir with the attendance of Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Faruk Özlü. The base to be built on 9,5 million square meters, is expected to house a total of 800 different companies in various scales and 1,4 million TRY are expected to be invested in 10 years, and it is planned that the base will provide employment to more than 40 thousand and create 15-20 billion TRY gross domestic product.

The Protocol for the Project of the İzmir İnstitute of Technology Base, which is one of 35 projects planned by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım for İzmir in 2011, was signed between Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Faruk Özlü, TÜBİTAK President Hasan Mandal, President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office Habip Aslan and the Rector of the İzmir Institute of Technology Prof. Dr. Mustafa Güden.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım: “The Institute Will Contribute 15 Billion Dollars to the National Income in 10 Years.”

Stating that the İzmir Institute of Technology will have over 1 million square meters of indoor area in the long run and that global and domestic companies will carry out research development and technology development activities here, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım went on to say “Our most important tool which will make this project a success is the existence of IYTE. Having doctoral and master’s students carrying out academic work here is the biggest advantage for the future of this project. We will have transformed this advantage into added value and targets for the future of our country. Domestic and global investors will be able to establish companies, take advantage of R&D and innovation support. They will be able to develop intellectual property rights. We aim to expand the İzmir Institute of Technology to 800 companies in a 10-year time span. Likewise, in the long run we will provide employment opportunities to 40 thousand young minds, hardworking researchers. This is very important for Turkey. If all goes well, about 15 billion dollars will be contributed to the national income in 10 years. We can conjecture how vital an investment this base is. I view this project as a locomotive project for the future of İzmir.”

“Information has become the ultimate power.”

Noting that advanced technology projects don’t happen out of the blue, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said that these steps are the result of Turkey’s developing vision for the past 16 years. The Prime Minister stated “We are making significant leaps in technology. Turkey has a young population. A country whose development is continuing in a dynamic way. Turkey must take its rightful place in our developing world. Turkey must be strong in order to fulfill its responsibilities in the region. Our biggest treasure is our human resources. We can catch up with developed countries in 10-15 years thanks to our human resources. Turkey has decreased its difference in per capita income with the European Union from 65 percent to 30 percent.

In short, it has increased by 34 percent. We have closed the gap with the USA by 25 percent. These technology centers will ensure the same thing. Products which have added value will be developed here.” During his speech the Prime Minister voiced that information is in its strongest era in the world and reflected: “Tanks, cannons, missiles are not enough to be strong. If you possess information, if you can generate information and turn it into added value, then you are strong.”

“A Project Which Will Lead Turkey’s Vision for the Future”

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said that turning information into added value will make us strong, that achieving this is one of the aims of the technology base. Stating that there are now 77 techno parks, whereas in 2003 this number was 5, that significant developments have been made in the last 15 years and that the total revenue yielded by techno parks has reached 82 billion TRY, Prime Minister Yıldırım said, “We have increased the number of full time R&D employees from 29 thousand to 137 thousand in the past 15 years. During the same period, we have increased the full time employees of the private sector from 6 thousand to 72 thousand. In the past, the word R&D reminded us of the state. Now we are saying that it is not reasonable for the state to progress through research and development, it also isn’t efficient. For this reason, we must move toward the private sector and transfer our resources there.” Remarking that the İzmir Institute of Technology Project is a project which will lead Turkey’s vision for the future, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım thanked representatives of the public institutions which had contributed to the work.

Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Dr. Faruk Özlü: “The İzmir Technology Base Will Act as a Lever for the World of Science and Technology.” The Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Faruk Özlü remarked that the İzmir Technology Base to be established in the city would not only become a national attraction centre but also an international one and stated that they expect it to generate 15-20 billion TRY of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). During his speech at the İzmir Technology Base Publicity Meeting Minister Faruk Özlü said that the İzmir Technology Base which unifies İzmir’s potential, power and opportunities, will mobilise all aspects of the city’s potential for industry and technology. Minister Faruk Özlü, reflecting that the İzmir Technology Base will serve to increase Turkey’s capacity to develop technology, said that this distinguished project will act as a lever for the Turkish world of science and technology.

 

“The İzmir Technology Base Will Not Only Become a National Attraction Centre, But Also an International One.”

Explaining that each stakeholders’ views and suggestions were taken into consideration while planning the İzmir Technology Base, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology continued his speech with these words: “Our work regarding the İzmir Technology Base started over a year ago. We have consulted potential investors, universities, technology development areas and non-governmental organizations. We will build the base on approximately 9,5 million square meters in Urla. The İzmir Technology Base will be an ecosystem comprising everything from end to end. Global large investors, leading Turkish companies, our big and small scale enterprises, laboratories, prototype factories and social facilities will take place in this ecosystem. Our İzmir Technology Base will not only be a national attraction center, it will become an international one as well. It is planned to house a total of 800 different companies in various scales and directly and indirectly provide 40 thousand employment opportunities in the long run. For the establishment of the Technology Base, we will invest 1,4 billion TRY in 10 years, some of which will be through Public-Private Partnership.”

 

Indicating that the “İzmir Technology Base İncentive and Support Office” which will provide a fast incentive and support system to respond to companies’ needs, Minister Faruk Özlü said; “We will establish a private investment company which includes venture capital funds within its scope in order for our entrepreneurs to have access to sufficient funds. We are realizing this project in partnership with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, TÜBİTAK and the İzmir İnstitute of Technology. However, I have great pleasure in pointing out that of Turkey, all of İzmir, all of our science and technology companies are partners in this great project.”

 

"We Are Loading Our Arsenal with Science and Technology"

Underlining that the İzmir Technology Base will bring Turkey closer to our target of becoming a country of science centers, technology bases, digital and advanced industry, Minister Faruk Özlü noted: “Turkey is a country which possesses the necessary energy, human resources and motivation to reach these targets. It is only a matter of believing and striving. We know that the most important instruments to strengthen our hand in the industrial war are science and technology. We are loading our arsenal with science and technology. We are making attempts to prepare our country for global transition. On the one hand we are strengthening our national and domestic stance in industry, while on the other hand we are making attempts in industry and technology.” The Minister for Science, Industry and Technology added that Turkey is moving steadily toward its target of becoming “a big and powerful Turkey” with its one thousand 150 R&D employees and design centers, record breaking number of patents, 312 organized industrial zones, 77 techno parks and science centers.

 

Following the speeches, the signature ceremony was held for the İzmir Technology Base.

 

 

25.06.2018