Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In the seminar which has been conducted within the scope of Turkey Textile, Ready-made clothing and Textile Sectors Strategy Paper and Action Plan as published in the Official gazette dated 25^th June 2015 no 29397 Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology along with KOSGEB delivered a presentation about R-D and Design Supports also expert from İpek Yolu (Silk Road) Development Agency (İKA) delivered project proposal presentation.

Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GTO) President Beyhan Hıdıroğlu who made the opening speech of the seminar said that as well as KOSGEB and TUBITAK offering numerous support program devoted to R-D, Innovation and Design for the growth and improvement of the firms Ministry of Economy also providing significant incentives and supports for sectoral clustering activities.

Pointing out that textile sector having a major place within economy of Gaziantep Hıdıroğlu said “Economy of Gaziantep shall only reach a better position comparing today by further growth of the businesses. In this day and age that we live great advantage in competition can be obtained by R-D and innovation.

As a country we are in a race for promoting to an upper league in production and industry. During this race we shall be to gain most significant advantage by R-D and innovation. R-D and innovation play a major role in our production capacity and quality increase as well as obtaining added value. In terms of textile sector Gaziantep is a very powerful city. In Gaziantep textile and many related sectors has rapidly grown and still growing.

In order to solve employment problem of country as well as reducing import dependency, enabling to move from labour-intensive manufacturing to knowledge-intensive production, technology and to be able to be successful, achievement especially in R-D, innovation and design is essential. For financing export Eximbank credits and credit amounts has been considerably increased. as well as KOSGEB and TUBITAK offering numerous support program devoted to R-D, Innovation and Design for the growth and improvement of the firms Ministry of Economy also providing significant incentives and supports for sectoral clustering activities.”

Perviz Özdündar from Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Department of Real Sector R-D Application reminded that within Turkey Textile, Ready-Made Clothing and Leather Goods Sectors Strategy Paper and Action Plan delivering current R-D supports and project proposals seminars to the firms is TOBB’s responsibility.

Telling that the seminar calendar and scope are being determined by in cooperation with Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, TÜBİTAK, KOSGEB, Bursa Textile and Rwady-Make Clothing R-D Centre (BUTEKOM) Perviz Özdünda said “It has been decided for carrying out coordinated works with the establishments that would provide R-D support and our chambers of commerce and industry within the regions where textile sector is extensive. Then regions where textile and interest shall be keen were determined. It was decided for delivering seminars in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, Gaziantep, Adan as well as Bursa, İstanbul, Denizli and İzmir.”

Özdündar stated that the seminars hosted by Chambers of Commerce and Industry started with Kahramanmaraş and continued with respectively Çorlu, Denizli, Adana, İzmir, TOBB Istanbul branch and now Gaziantep was the 7^th stop and she accordingly thanked the management of Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce who hosted the event.

Attending the seminar from Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology Ekrem Türker Fidan reported that there were 664 R-D and 100 Design Centres which is 764 centres in overall within Turkey and he also stated that there are 5 R-D centres and 1 Design Centres in Gaziantep.

Within his presentation giving detailed information regarding the support and incentive elements by Directorate of Science and Technology R-D Centre and Design Centre of Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, Fidan also said “Where there is R-D design centre there is 100 percent tax reduction. Likewise social security premium aids are half as much as the social security premimum share of the employer.  Furthermore you can also receive supports and incentives for income tax withholding aid, documentary taxes indemnity, raw material and supplies, amortisations, general expenditures, rent, water, communication, energy, maintenance – repair, transportation, books – magazines and such.”

Giving information regarding the application process Fidan said “No application can be done by hand anymore. Online system is in use. E-signature is in use. In five working days exports are being assigned and preliminary examination is being carried out. At the end of 15 working day return to application is being made and minimum two observer arbitrator are being assigned. Then a commission is being formed within the ministry. Once R-D and Design Centre ruling is being issued form therein, you can then benefit from the incentives. For controlling the projects audit is being carried out once a year. Therefore every time decision is being renewed you keep benefiting from incentives.”

KOSGEB representative Cuma Delioğlu gave information about improvement and support applications of SME and entrepreneurs in terms of KOSGEB and from İpek Yolu (Silk Road) Development Agency Ahmet Paksu also gave information about current supports as well as previous ones provided by İpek Yolu (Silk Road) Development Agency.

Speakers answered excessive amount of questions by the sectoral representatives.