Number of R&D Centers in Turkey Reached 961 During the Last Two Years

TRY 4.9 billion worth of resources were allocated from the budget to R&D according to the 2018 Central Administration Budget Draft Law. Jülide Birol, General Manager of Experto which offers project management services on TÜBİTAK, TEYDEB R&D and Design Center and Techno investment supports through foundation and management of R&D Centers, said that the resources allocated to R&D were very important for reducing Turkey's foreign dependency and strengthening local industry. The number of R&D Centers founded with incentives in Turkey during recent years reached 961. New regulations were implemented for R&D Centers particularly with the "Law On Amendment of the Law on Supporting Research and Development Activities and Certain Laws and Decree Laws" enacted in 2016, also known as the R&D Reform Package. Under the law the number of full-time equivalent R&D personnel was reduced from 30 to 15. It was thus made possible for SME-scale companies to also establish R&D centers. While 264 R&D centers were found until the second half of 2016 when the mentioned regulations were completed (in 8 years), 697 R&D Centers were found during the last two years. 234 design centers were founded during the last 2 years with the incentives provided to designing companies. In the light of all these developments, TRY 4.9 billion worth of resources were allocated for R&D in 2018 according to the Central Administration Budget Draft Law.

R&D and Innovation are Indispensable

Experto General Manager Jülide Birol said that the most important advantage of receiving R&D support for companies is that the state will partially cover the funds needed for R&D studies required to produce high-quality products.