Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

During the seminar conducted by EBSO Board Member Ateş İlyas Demirkalkan and carried out in accordance with Strategy Paper and Action Plan for Turkey Textile, Ready-made Clothing and Leather Sectors as published in Official Gazette, representatives from Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, KOSGEB and İZKA delivered presentations on Ar-Ge design supports as well as İzmir Development Agency experts also delivered presentations on submitting project proposal.

Delivering opening speech of the seminar Aegean Region Chamber of Industry Board Member Ateş İlyas Demirkalkan, stating that in recent years as well as economic and political developments in Turkey and globally, technological improvements also accelerated, also said, “Having a great role within national economy textile, ready-made clothing and leather products sectors also get effected by these developments. I believe contributions by sectors for employment, exportation and investment should not be ignored and by catching up with the era every one of should do their best to range up”.

-We should make a difference

Demirkalkan, pointing out that leading sectors of exportation textile, ready-made clothing and leather product sectors are in an intense competitive environment, said “Concordantly in order to provide sustainable competitiveness, it I necessary to make a difference by focusing on added value and technology integrated products. World is now pursue differential. By years labour intensive sectors, by advancing techology stayed the course of being technology intensive. However as well as technology by R-D and designing we have the opportunity to achieve the differential.”  

-Government support is important

Stating that technical textile also stands out where technology plays a significant role in every area, Demirkalkan said followings: “Furthermore nanotechnology products added a distinct dimension to the sector. When we generalise R-D activities and head for design products accordingly textile, ready-made clothing and leather products sectors would become stronger gradually in our country as it does globally. Within this period especially government support to our firms plays a significant role. These sectors which have importance today and remain important in future shall be developed by R-D, designing and technology. Certainly we cannot remain unresponsive to that. In this context there are many supports available by Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology as well as KOSGEB and other institutions. İzmir being the door to Europe for long-established sectors in our country, has a dynamic position. In this sense İzmir, for years also remains to be the heart of fashion through international exhibitions such IF Wedding and became prominent within the sector as a brand. We, as EBSO, underline in every platform that development is only possible with production and the importance of moving on by manufacturing added-value products. In this respect, textile, ready-made clothing and leather sectors are the sectors which are the most open for improvement and transformation.”

-Support by TOBB

Representative TOBB Real Sector R-D Implementation Department Presidency Perviz Özdündar reminded that within Turkey Textile, Ready-made clothing and Leather Products Strategy Paper and Action Plan, R-D supports and submitting project seminars are TOBB’s responsibility.

Telling that seminar schedule and content identifications are being carried out in cooperation with Ministry of Science, Indutry and Technology, TÜBİTAK, KOSGEB, YÖK, Bursa Textile and Ready Made Clothing R-D Centre (BUTEKOM), Özdündar also said “It is decided for carrying out works in coordination with institutions which shall be giving R-D support and chambers of trade and industry within the textile intensive areas. Then provinces where textiles and interest shall be intense. We are organising seminars in, Çorlu, Tekirdağ, Gaziantep, Adana, Bursa, İstanbul, Denizli and İzmir.

-Tax Reduction is 100 percent

Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology Assistant Expert of Industry and Technology Gözde Ulu Metin stating that throughout Turkey there are 664 R-D and 100 Design Centres which in total 774 centres, also said “There are 59 R-D centres and 17 Design Centres in İzmir. Two of the design centres work on textile and one of them works on ready-made clothing.”

During her presentation giving detailed information about support and incentive elements by R-D Centre of Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology Directorate of Science and Technology Metin talked as “When there is R-D design centre the tax reduction is 100 percent. Social security premium contribution is as much as half of employer's national insurance contribution. Furthermore you can also benefit from income tax withholding support, documentary tax indemnity as well as incentives and support for raw material and supplies’ consumables, depreciation, general expenses, rent, water, communication, energy, maintenance and repair, transportation, books magazines and such.”

-Once a year audit

Also briefing about application process Metin said “Applications are no longer delivered by hand. Online system is in use. We use e-signature. Experts are being assigned in five working days. After 15 working days returns are being made and minimum two observer arbitrator are being assigned. Then commission is being established at the Ministry. Following R-D and Design Centre decision therein you can benefit from incentives. In order to control the projects audit is being carried out once a year. In this way each time decision is being renewed you keep benefiting from same incentives.”

KOSGEB İzmir Southern Manager Mustafa Çanakçı gave information about applications for development and support KOBİ and entrepreneurs as a part of KOSGEB and İzmir Development Agency Expert Ekrem Ayalp also gave information about project and budget techniques. Speakers also answered the questions by sectoral representatives.