Minister of Industry and Technology Explores National Tech Initiatives in TRNC, Boosting Industrial Investments
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır recently visited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to explore national tech initiatives and boost industrial investments. During his visit, Minister Kacır, accompanied by TRNC Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu, took a tour of the TRNC streets and visited the Deneyap Technology Workshops in Nicosia.
Expressing his goals for TRNC, Minister Kacır stated that they aim to implement all the national technology initiative programs in Turkey, step by step. To facilitate industrial investments in TRNC, he signed the Agreement on the Facilitation of Industrial Investments together with Minister Amcaoğlu. The agreement aims to eliminate the differences that arise between investors from Turkey and TRNC, enabling citizens of the Republic of Turkey and companies subject to Turkish laws to invest in the TRNC’s Organized Industrial Zones (OIZs) with financial support.
Minister Kacır highlighted Turkey’s progress in various fields over the past 21 years, including the establishment of a robust R&D, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Turkey currently boasts over 101,000 startups in its 10 technoparks and operates with a substantial R&D workforce of 160,000 people across more than 272 R&D and design centers. Minister Kacır emphasized that Turkey has become a global technology and production base with its industry, production capacity, R&D and innovation infrastructure, qualified workforce, and strategic location connecting three continents.
Kacır proudly mentioned Turkey’s advancements in the defense industry, noting that they have gone from importing basic defense products to becoming the world leader in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle production. He also highlighted the Togg, Turkey’s domestically-produced electric and smart national car, which has been a 60-year dream and is now on the roads.
Regarding TRNC’s development, Minister Kacır expressed his commitment to supporting plans and projects that harness the economic potential of the region. In collaboration with TÜBİTAK, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Kacır has taken steps to enhance the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem in TRNC. Professors at TRNC universities can now benefit from TÜBİTAK’s academic research support programs, and secondary school students have the opportunity to participate in national research projects and Olympic competitions organized by TÜBİTAK.
Furthermore, Kacır emphasized the financial support programs provided by the Çukurova Development Agency for development projects in TRNC. Through these programs, TRNC has received a support of 1.1 billion liras for the development of the region.
To strengthen the power of OIZs in TRNC and enhance the industrial infrastructure, Minister Kacır will work closely with his counterparts to encourage both Turkish and TRNC investors to invest in TRNC’s OIZs. This will facilitate the transfer of technology and knowledge between the two countries and lead to significant progress in TRNC’s industrialization journey. Minister Kacır hopes that the Agreement on the Facilitation of Industrial Investments will not only contribute to the industrial ecosystems of Turkey and TRNC but also benefit the entire Eastern Mediterranean region.
During his visit, Minister Kacır also had the opportunity to visit Bilim Nicosia, an education center that introduces students to science through teamwork-based projects. He praised the programs implemented at Bilim Nicosia, including Deneyap Technology Workshop, which provides robotics, coding, cyber security, and artificial intelligence education to specially talented students from an early age. Minister Kacır emphasized his commitment to implementing all national technology initiatives in TRNC, replicating successful programs from Turkey.
In addition to his visits, Minister Kacır also paid a visit to the production facility of Günsel, TRNC’s electric domestic car, and even took a test drive. The electric car represents a significant milestone in TRNC’s automotive industry and contributes to the country’s sustainable development goals.
Minister Kacır’s visit to TRNC, accompanied by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, aimed to strengthen economic ties and explore opportunities to advance the tech and industrial sectors. The visit also included attending the opening of the NEU Doctor Suat Günsel Mosque and inspecting the construction site of the TRNC Presidential Complex in Nicosia.
As TRNC and Turkey continue to collaborate and invest in technological advancements and industrial growth, both nations aim to achieve economic prosperity and bring forth a new era of innovation in the region.
