Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The meeting took place closed at the Ankara Gölbaşı Provincial Headquarters following the opening keynote by PM Davutoğlu. Also present during the meeting were Deputy PM Mehmet Şimşek, Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Işık, National Education Minister Nabi Avcı, YÖK Director Yekta Saraç, Development Ministry Undersecretary Cüneyd Düzyol, İstanbul University Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak, TAEK Chair Zafer Alper, TÜBİTAK Chair Prof. Dr. Arif Ergin.

PM DavutoÄŸlu reported that annual R&D spending has increased from 3.9 billion USD in 2002 to 17.6 billion USD as of last year, approximately equal to 1% of GNP, and stated that they plan to increase this ratio to 3% in the future.

DavutoÄŸlu emphasized that they are planning for the future by sharing thoughts, strategies and opinions on science and industry, making decisions along with the science councils and institutions.