Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB Turkey Biotechnology Sector Council convened in İstanbul with the attendance of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. TOBB ETU Deputy Rector and Turkey Economic Policy Research Foundation (TEPAV) Prof. Dr. Güven Sak presided over the meeting during which views were exchanged in regards to the future of the sector with the representatives of pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural, genetic, chemical, plastic sectors.

During his opening speech, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the world is undergoing a technological transformation and that all tendencies are being reshaped, from industry to agriculture; that strategies built on science and technology based innovation, productivity and efficiency becoming a main factor in competitiveness whether it be in the case of countries or companies.

Touching on the fact that Turkey needs a new story during this time of global transformation, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In the future, the new resource of the necessary growth could not be considered independent of innovation in production and exports. The most important factor of Turkey’s new story should be to rapidly increase the ratio of high technology in our industry. This is a must-have for sustainable growth. In addition to talking about present issues, we must also discuss Turkey’s future. Turkey’s economic transformation cannot be considered in a vacuum apart from the global innovation agenda. Turkey must decide on its technological priorities and must take steps to hasten its innovation towards these goals. Lateral tech platforms, which have the potential to transform numerous sectors, are an opportunity to transform industry. Turkey’s technological priorities must be in line with global priorities. The critical point is to determine which technologies to focus and via which sectors, as well as designing its expansion to other sectors.”

- “Technological transformation is the driving force behind sustainable growth”

Pointing out that technological transformation is the driving force behind sustainable growth, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB has prioritized biotechnology as a lateral tech platform with potential to transform numerous sectors. Stating that biotechnology, used in sectors ranging from food to plastics; from energy to pharmaceuticals, can bring about qualitative change as its effects spread to other sectors, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Catalyzing projects for transferring and reproducing new technologies. In order to initiate growth process based on innovation, we must adopt a project based approach as well as designing catalyzing projects. New industrial policy tools should be organized around catalyzing projects. What needs to be done at the beginning is, following focus and prioritization work, is the establishment of a governing body and the designing of the first catalyzing projects. Turkey has always been late to technology transfers. We don’t want this to persist in biotech as well. We are conducting B20 efforts throughout the world, working closely with approximately 1,000 of the world’s largest companies. I‘ve observed that the only way to grow as a company is through technology. It falls to TOBB to open the way for catalyzing projects in Turkey which will bring high tech to life. To this end, we’ve begun work to establish the Biotechnology Foundation in cooperation with the Development Ministry. We will work with large companies in this field to ensure that Turkey moves forward, to bring innovation to the industry.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the most exciting Sector Council for him is the Biotechnology Sector Council, emphasizing that Turkey’s prosperity will be achieved through the work of sector councils.

- Why biotechnology?

During his presentation at the TOBB Turkey Biotechnology Sector Council, TEPAV Director Güven Sak stated that biotech could assist the push Turkey needs. Drawing attention to the need to ameliorate the investment environment and the development of smart investment models, Prof. Dr. Sak stated that new technologies could save Turkey time in achieving its 2023 goals, “Technology platforms form the center of the new industry policy.”