Minister Varank Speaks on R&D and Innovation

Minister Varank Discusses R&D and Innovation KOCAELI (AA) Speaking at the 8th R&D and Design Centers and Technology Development Zones Summit held in Bilişim Vadisi, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank stated that they have always provided the necessary facilities for the development of the R&D and innovation ecosystem and will continue to do so. Emphasizing that they took swift action on this matter during the pandemic period, Varank said, "We extended the implementation period of R&D incentives until the end of 2028. We implemented the remote work application, which has been long requested in technoparks and R&D and design centers, and expanded its scope." Noting that all stakeholders are satisfied with this application, Varank said, "Our President had the authority to increase the remote work application up to 50 percent, and we are currently implementing it at 50 percent. We will seek authorization from our esteemed Parliament to increase this authority further. Because in certain sectors, especially now, you cannot find employees who think of any possibility other than remote work. Therefore, we will certainly take the necessary action here as well."

"With the National Technology Initiative Vision, We Are Investing in the Right Areas at the Right Time"

Minister Varank explained that they have taken very important steps never taken before in terms of access to financing, the most important need of entrepreneurs, and that they have made resources available to entrepreneurs through funds such as the Technology and Innovation Fund, Istanbul Regional Venture Capital Program, and TechInvestTR, in which they are directly involved. Stating that they have implemented inclusive support programs to support private sector R&D projects through TÜBİTAK and KOSGEB, Varank said, "Products such as domestically-made automotive transmissions, turbojets, medical ventilation devices, and tunnel boring machines have been realized thanks to the contributions of these support programs." Emphasizing that they are investing in the right areas at the right time with the National Technology Initiative vision, Varank continued: "In digital transformation, green transition, artificial intelligence, electric and autonomous vehicles, and even flying cars, our companies are conducting serious work. In digital transformation, we are providing large-scale support to our businesses to make our country a production hub rather than a market for critical technologies. In green transition, we have accelerated our actions within the framework of compliance with the EU Green Deal. Through TÜBİTAK, we are providing serious support for R&D and innovation in green transition. For the proper governance of artificial intelligence, we have published the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy together with the Digital Transformation Office. In electric and autonomous vehicles, TOGG, our source of pride, is rapidly approaching the days when it will come off the production line. Whether some like it or not, our country is making internationally recognized achievements through technology-based enterprises. For example, the number of start-ups in Turkey that have reached billion-dollar valuations, unicorns, or Turcorns as we call them, has reached 5. One of these unicorns emerged from within technology development zones, and three of them currently have their own R&D centers. These are merely indicators. You will see that, God willing, we will witness even faster developments hereafter. As our innovation ecosystem gains experience, our country's competitive position will also develop much further."