President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made remarks regarding the current agenda at the 13th TİM Innovation Week Program held at the Haliç Congress Center.
In his statement regarding the fund crisis, Erdoğan noted that payments have begun, saying, “Payments started last week. The payments are continuing without any issues. We are conducting the operation with the precision of a surgeon.”
Stating that he finds it meaningful that the theme of this year’s Turkey Innovation Week was determined as “The New Phase of Humanity,” Erdoğan emphasized that technological transformation should be addressed not only in its technical dimension but also in its effects on humans.
Pointing to developments in robotics, biotechnology, data systems, and autonomous technologies, Erdoğan expressed that while technology is advancing rapidly, the human factor is often not sufficiently taken into account. He said that discussions regarding new technologies, especially artificial intelligence, are increasing among different segments of society.
In his speech, Erdoğan stated that Turkey does not want to fall behind in the technology race and mentioned that research, development, and innovation infrastructure are being strengthened within the scope of the National Technology Initiative.
Erdoğan said that the number of technoparks has reached 115 and that research and development expenditures, which were 1.2 billion dollars in 2002, have been increased to 20 billion dollars. Reminding that Turkey had no unicorn companies until 2019, Erdoğan reported that this number has risen to 8 today.
President Erdoğan noted that they aim for 100 thousand technology startups to emerge from Turkey by 2030 and for the total valuation of these startups to reach 100 billion dollars.
Stating that the Atatürk Airport terminal buildings are being transformed into a technology and entrepreneurship center under the Terminal İstanbul brand, Erdoğan indicated that the center will be opened for use with all its functions in 2027.
Erdoğan also explained the Investment Committed Advance Credit Program, for which the Central Bank has allocated 750 billion liras, the HIT-30 High Technology Support Program, and the 250 billion lira Manufacturing Industry Credit Financing Program for SMEs.
Touching upon the 2026-2030 Turkey Artificial Intelligence Action Plan, Erdoğan said that it is aimed to increase the total installed power of data centers to at least 1 gigawatt by 2030.
News Source: 12punto
