Business leaders plan investments for Syria

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) President Şekib Avdagiç, evaluating the current situation in Syria, announced that a "period of peace" is now on the agenda in the region and that, in this context, they have sent two representatives from the ITO Board of Directors to Damascus to research investment opportunities.

Avdagiç stated that the delegation met with Turkey's Ambassador to Damascus, the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, and local industrialists, saying, "China has currently secured the allocation of 800 decares of land in Damascus. We are also considering adding Aleppo to our investment agenda due to its geographical and cultural proximity to Turkey."

INTEGRATION POSSIBLE WITH INVESTORS RETURNING FROM SYRIA

Avdagiç pointed out that there is an opportunity for rapid integration with Syrian investors who came to Turkey from Syria and have since returned to their home country. 

DEMAND FOR "TAILORED" INCENTIVES

The ITO President emphasized that industrial investments in Istanbul should be supported, stating, "While there may not be general incentives in Istanbul, we believe that limited and targeted incentives should be provided for environmentally friendly and high-tech investments." 

REACTION TO IMPORTED BUS PURCHASES INSTEAD OF DOMESTIC PRODUCTION

Avdagiç described the preference of some local administrations for imported buses as an "absurdity," despite Turkey being Europe's largest bus manufacturer. "This situation saddens us. We reiterate that national and domestic production must absolutely be supported in public procurement," he said.

The Commercialization Center of Knowledge (BTM), through which the ITO supports entrepreneurs, is moving to a new 200,000-square-meter technology base to be established at Atatürk Airport. Avdagiç announced that this request was received positively during their meeting with Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır.