Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The “the structure of the Turkish defense industry and policies to be implemented on the way to 2023” themed sector search conference held by the TOBB Defense Industry Council was held in Kızılcahamam. Speaking at the conference attended by representatives of the business world, public administration, universities and many similar institutions, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that these meetings are very important in determining the sector’s future and finding new ideas.

- The importance of R&D

Stating that the world’s biggest race is in technology, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “You are as strong as you are technologically advanced.” Touching on the subject of R&D, the TOBB President related how there needs to be demand and afterwards, resources for R&D. “The microwave oven, as an example, were produced out of the need for cooking meals for astronauts in space.”

- “We must strengthen local production”

Stating that defense is the foundation stone of industry, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the “s the government going to make someone rich?” mentality is flawed. Emphasizing that the local share of the defense industry needs to be increase, the TOBB President stated that there is a 2 trillion Dollars market in the defense field.

Drawing attention to the success of the defense industry, 16th in terms of exports in the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We must develop this industry in order to prosper. Moreover, we need to develop it in order to provide employment to the 750,000 young people joining the work force every year.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “There is no natural gas, no petroleum but an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit in this country. There is a Turk in every airplane that takes off in the world. This shows our entrepreneurial side. The late Özal opened the way for us. In 30 years the Turkish private sector has made great headway. Don’t think in short term. Approach the issue with the long term in mind. This sector is the backbone of industrialization.”
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