Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır explained Turkey's goals in the fields of artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and digital infrastructure during his speech at the opening of ACE BPSC 2026 held in Istanbul. Kacır announced that the target is to increase data center capacity to the 1 GW level by 2030 and to mobilize at least 10 billion dollars in private sector investment in these areas.
AmCham representatives from 30 countries and global corporate executives gathered in Istanbul at the conference, which was hosted by TABA-AmCham and held under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade. Taking the stage after TABA-AmCham President Süleyman Ecevit Sanlı and AmChams in Europe President Ajsa Vodnik at the opening of the meeting, Kacır touched upon Turkey-US economic relations and technological transformation topics.
Recalling the 100 billion dollar bilateral trade target set by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump, Kacır stated that there is a common political will to progress toward this goal. According to Minister Kacır, a new trade architecture is taking shape in the world around supply security, proximity to markets, and reliable partnerships.
EMPHASIS ON TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION
Stating that Turkey has increased its share in global manufacturing industry value-added with its production infrastructure strengthened over the last 20 years, Kacır said that annual goods exports have risen to 283 billion dollars. He emphasized that Turkey plays an important role in European value chains, from solar panels to commercial vehicles, and from steel and construction materials to furniture and textiles.
Kacır reported that more than 13 thousand firms are operating in over 1,700 R&D and design centers and 115 technoparks, and the number of R&D personnel has reached 311 thousand. Citing developments in the defense industry as an example, Kacır noted that Turkey is in a leading position globally in UAV systems and is capable of designing and producing training aircraft, helicopters, and satellites.
Minister Kacır also announced that over 1 billion dollars in resources have been provided by the World Bank for industrialists, SMEs, and green technology initiatives, and that steps have been taken for 5 billion euros in international financing for green transformation investments in cooperation with the EBRD.
TRADE TARGET WITH THE US
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat stated that the US investment stock in Turkey is at the level of 16.5 billion dollars and that approximately 2 thousand US companies have invested in Turkey. Bolat said that the total capital coming from the US to Turkey has reached 60 billion dollars, while Turkish investments in the US have reached 14.5 billion dollars.
Stating that a volume of 38.5 billion dollars was reached in bilateral trade last year, Bolat expressed that the US is 6 billion dollars ahead due to aircraft and LNG purchases. Bolat stated that Turkey-US trade is expected to reach 43 billion dollars this year and 50 billion dollars in 2028.
TABA-AmCham President Süleyman Ecevit Sanlı, on the other hand, said that the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union should be modernized, transit quotas should be removed, and visa and transit barriers that make travel difficult for business people should be reduced. Sanlı stated that Turkey's production capacity could be evaluated together with the financial, technological, and innovation power of the US and Europe.
Tariff differences on the business world's agenda also came to the fore at the conference. Orka Group Chairman of the Board Süleyman Orakçıoğlu stated that the customs duty burden on ready-to-wear products sent from Turkey to the US has risen to 30 percent, while this rate is 10 percent for products going from Italy.
News Source: 12punto
