YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY BRIEFING Turkish exports began the new normal with records INDEPT Istanbul to be the new hub of health tourism INVEST Peak Games became the TheTurkish first unicorn of Turkiye

PerspectiveJULY 2020 ISSUE 81 ECONOMY I BUSINESS I FOREIGN TRADE I ANALYSIS Türkiye has succeeded TÜRKİYE in reducing its foreign dependency in many RISING fields, especially in the defense industry, WITH has also increased the NATIONAL exports of value added INDUSTRY national technologies.

The Turkish Perspective

TheTurkish Perspective Contents JULY 2020 ISSUE 81

Black Sea Highlands 54 Will Invigorate You President Recep Tayyip Türkiye, Pakistan Enjoy Bur- We provide cost-effective solu- 08 Erdoğan: We will make Istanbul 26 geoning Cooperation in TV, Film 50 tions for corporations” a Center of Islamic Finance Sectors

Turkish Coast Guard rescues Museums: 11 1,774 asylum seekers 60 Memory of Societies

Ottoman sultan’s 27 portrait was bought by Istanbul Municipality

Türkiye’s exports exceeded Rising trend in tourism 12 the normal output in June 36 AESTHETIC TOURISM

The towers of Türkiye will have a say in siber 14 Çanakkale Bridge 42 security are completed

Global gaming market sets its Türkiye, has increased its 22 eye to Türkiye 48 importance of mask supply

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 3 TheTurkish Perspective JULY 2020 ISSUE 81

THE TURKISH PERSPECTIVE RENEWED Management Publisher on Behalf of Turkish Exporters Assembly Chairman of The Turkish Exporters The Turkish Perspective continues publishing Assembly İsmail GÜLLE with its renewed content in 2020. Strategic Partner President of The Presidency of The Republic of Türkiye Investment Office ✓ Türkiye’s riches waiting to be discovered Burak DAĞLIOĞLU ✓ Türkiye from foreign investors’ eye Publication Board M. İlker AYCI ✓ Industry evaluations Bilal EKŞİ Enise Didem ELMAS ✓ Türkiye’s brands expanding to the world Mehmet Fatih BİLİCİ Senem SANAL SEZERER

Publication Management

Executive Editor Selda YEŞİLTAŞ

Deputy Executive Editor Murat ERDOĞAN

Editor-in-Chief Peri ERBUL

Editor Zeynep TÜTÜNCÜ GÜNGÖR Edip ÜÇOK,

Art Director Ercan YAVUZ, Erkan ALTINDAĞ, Yılmaz MERMER

Reporter To keep up with the The Gizem İRİS NEWS Photo Editor ECONOMY Turkish Perspective monthly Ergün ÇOLAKOĞLU

BUSINESS and follow the recent Contact Address Rumeli Cad. Rumeli Pasajı Yunus Apt. CULTURE developments you can send No:45 Kat:3 Nişantaşı Şişli / İstanbul INNOVATION Tel: 0212 236 00 50 your address to: www.viyamedya.com BRAND MARKETING [email protected] [email protected] /viyamedya Printing Özgün Ofset Neither text nor photographs from this publication may be reproduced in full or part without acknowledging the source and securing permission from the publisher

4 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective Editorial

İsmail GÜLLE Chairman of Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Türkiye continues to amaze Türkiye rises through national unity We believe time will be on our side, on Türkiye’s and companies that invest in these lands.

DEAR FRIENDS, period. The first quarter of 2020 business world. Türkiye elim- hit all the countries around the inated this threat, initiated an International associations and world. While all the strongest awakening across the world, and economists always consider one economies of the European Union gathered huge support from its thing that is unique to Türkiye declined, with Germany in lead, allies across the world. This spirit when they announce their eco- as well as the US and China, Turk- came to life once again during the nomic growth estimates: national ish economy grew by 4.5 percent. pandemic and Türkiye continued unity spirit. Undoubtedly, Türkiye’s economy to produce despite the outbreak. However, an economist should will experience a slowdown in It showed that Türkiye is a safe employ the characteristics of a the second quarter of the year, haven. The production strength historian, politician, and a philos- but it won’t be overly damaging. of our country with our gov- opher, according to the renowned Our exports performed above ernments’ strong endenization economist John Maynard Keynes. the normal in June despite the policies during the last 20 years He believes that an economist pandemic and increased by 16 and over 74,000 companies with should consider what is specific percent in June, compared to the Turkish economy foreign capital accounted for this from a wider perspective and same month of the previous year. grew by 4.5 success. remark both the abstract and the The strong growth in other indi- percent. We believe time will be on our concrete. According to Keynes, an ces including exports signal that side, on Türkiye’s and companies economist should explore today Turkish economy will prove the that invest in these lands. Every under the past and for the inter- economists wrong in their 2020 day we see a new development est of the future. estimates. that support our argument. If the economists and asso- Another point that the econo- Just as Keynes said, the pres- ciations evaluated the Turkish mists miss about Türkiye is that ent should be considered under economy under this perspective, our country has the ability of the past for the future interests. they could have predicted a much taking swift actions after every Türkiye is a country with targets. stronger performance. crisis. The strongest example of It has the necessary production The expectations for a decline this argument was the aftermath strength to reach thee targets and in the Turkish economy increased of the coup attempt by FETO four is open to all kinds of cooperation. in 2019 as the global trade wars years ago. This attempt strength- That’s why, we as the Turkish and barriers jumped, but Türkiye ened the national unity spirit Exporters Assembly invite you to grew by 1 percent during this among the Turkish public and be a part of our dreams. JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 5

First Glance The Turkish Perspective

July 15 Coup Attempt and People’s Victory

The date of July 15 was declared as an official holiday in 2017 under the name of Democracy and National Unity Day in order to commemorate the martyrs in the coup attempt.

AT AROUND 10 p.m. on Friday July 15, a group of officers within the Turkish army associated with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) launched a coup attempt at the General Staff Headquarters that was suppressed after almost 22 hours. World leaders strongly reacted against the coup attempt. They displayed a unity of opinion on the side of elected leaders and democracy. President Erdoğan, chairmen of the ruling and opposition parties, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Hüseyin Özgürgün, high ranking administrative and military officials attend the “Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally” at Yenikapı, Istanbul. 5 million people attend the rally at Yenikapı in support of democracy, and Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders take a united stand against the coup attempt.

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 7 Foreign Policy

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: We will make Istanbul a Center of Islamic Finance President of The Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “Istanbul's newly built financial center will also make it a leader in the sector, given its geostrategic advantage” in the 12th International Conference on Islamic Economics and Finance which have actualized via videoconference.

The Turkish EBRD will support government small businesses founded three new state-owned in Türkiye Islamic banks THE BANK will be between years joined by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, 2015 and 2019. which became the first private- sector philanthropic organization to co- finance grants for EBRD. EBRD announcement read, "The grant will 12TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE from a low base – reflective of the entrance be used to develop a on Islamic Economics and Finance of three state-owned banks since 2014 and new digital platform actualized between June 14 and June 20 via the segment’s generally above-average risk or solution that will videoconference. President Recep Tayyip appetite." expand access to Erdoğan, emphasised Türkiye’s role in Islamic The participation banks’ share of sector know-how and learning finance. assets was 6.3 percent at end of 2019 opportunities for SMEs Participation banking and utilization tools of compared with the government’s target of 15 [small- and medium- Islamic finance and economics will provide a percent for 2025 while it was less than 2.0 sized enterprises]." The solid, sustainable and structural alternative percent during the early 2000s. "Taking all platform aims at helping to the existing financial system laden with these into account, Islamic finance is our exit businesses that face crises, President Erdoğan said. He added that out of this system," Erdoğan said, stressing the challenges in accessing Istanbul's newly built financial center will importance of interest-free, participatory and information and the also make it a leader in the sector, given its thus an alternative financial system. business networks geostrategic advantage. they need to grow. Erdoğan said the global system that is ISLAMIC BANKING Additionally, the funding based on personal and financial interest, ASSETS SET TO DOUBLE will lend support to domination and injustice, needs to be Islamic banking assets in Türkiye are set promising women-led reshaped and replaced with one that is fairer. to double within 10 years as government businesses in Istanbul. Türkiye, in the last 18 years has taken very initiatives drive growth in the sector, a report important steps to integrate alternative published by Moody's Investors Service in THE EBRD IS A MAJOR models based on participation, especially January. The Turkish government founded INVESTOR IN TÜRKIYE with the recent initiatives by state lenders three new state-owned Islamic banks between Since 2009, it has with their participating financial institutions. years 2015 and 2019, broadening access invested almost 12.4 According to a report by Fitch Ratings and increasing competition. In February last billion euros in various published in March, growth in Turkish year, the country's Banking Regulation and sectors of the country’s participation banking has surpassed the Supervision Agency (BDDK) granted a banking economy, with almost growth of conventional banks in recent years, license to Türkiye Emlak Katılım Bankası all investment in the despite the increasing market volatility. In (EmlakBank), bringing the number of Islamic private sector. The a statement, the international credit rating banks – known as participation banks locally EBRD’s 7 billion euros agency said that although "Turkish Islamic – to six in the country. The other five state worth of Türkiye banks' (participation banks) share of sector controlled Islamic banks are Ziraat Bankası portfolio is the assets remains small and concentrated" it and VakifBank, which received licenses to largest among the 38 is growing and the "segment growth has conduct Islamic banking in 2015 and 2016, economies where the consistently outpaced that of conventional respectively, along with Albaraka Türk, Kuveyt bank invests. banks in recent years despite heightened Türk, majority-owned by Kuwait Finance market volatility – though growth has been House, and Turkiye Finans.

8 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

"Türkiye can be an ideal regional hub for the global Chinese companies" Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan, who held a teleconference with the Chinese Minister of Trade, said they are open to collaborations that will balance trade, including the belt and road initiative.

MINISTER of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan met with Chinese Minister of Trade Zhong Shan on 12 June via teleconferencing. Pekcan said the bilateral trade volume between China and Türkiye was at 1.1 billion dollars in 2001 but have reached 21 billion 854 million dollars in 2019, and added that China ranked second among the countries Türkiye gives foreign trade deficit, with 20.8 percent. Pekcan said, "We would like to make our bilateral trade more sustainable and balanced by enabling higher value added exports to China. In this context, important exports to China in many product groups such as shoes, ready-to-wear products, ceramic materials, olive oil and some agricultural products. We have found that we have potential. In addition, we think that China could export motor vehicles and parts, medical "TRADE WITH LOCAL railroad during the epidemic. equipment, electric and non- CURRENCIES SHOULD BE It is very important to support electrical machinery and some INCREASED" the BTK railroad line under the certain agricultural products Pekcan emphasised the umbrella of the Middle Corridor in good quality and favourable importance of trading with and the Belt and Road Initiative conditions from Türkiye.” local currencies between the in a way to serve bilateral trade. two countries and said that We are ready to work with China INVITING CHINESE the ministry is working on in infrastructure projects in our FIRMS TO INVEST improving the incentives towards country.” Pekcan pointed out that China's promoting using local currencies direct Investments in Türkiye with Chinese companies that "BARRIERS TO EXPORT OF was limited until now and added trade with Türkiye. Pekcan said, China ranked AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS that Türkiye has the potential "We expect from the Chinese second among the SHOULD BE REMOVED" to be an ideal regional hub for government to orient the Chinese Expressing her satisfaction about Chinese global companies with companies engaged in trade with countries Türkiye the start of China's exports of its high quality human capital Türkiye clearly and encouraged to gives foreign trade dairy products Pekcan said, pool, its relations with the use local currency." deficit, with 20.8 the processes of poultry meat, European Union on Customs percent. lemons and other citrus fruits, Union relationship and offered COOPERATION WITHIN THE pomegranate, fresh grape and to investors as a flexible system SCOPE OF BELT AND ROAD apple exports should start as of incentives. Pekcan reminded INITIATIVE soon as possible and added that Türkiye has created special Speaking about the Belt and that the obstacles on exports of free zones to improve R&D Road Initiative and Kervansaray agricultural products should be studies, high-tech products, Project Pekcan said, "We believe removed. high value-added goods and that Caspian Migration Corridor Chinese Minister Zhong Shan services production activities (Central Corridor) under the also stated that they had an and to cluster companies roof of belt and road initiative extremely positive and productive aiming to export and to further is very important. We increased meeting and that they are ready to accelerate international business the cargo output, which was work together to further develop associations to be made under 4,200 tons mothly in January, bilateral economic and trade this roof, and make Türkiye a up to 28,243 tons per month relations, to stabilize trade and to global center in this field. on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) increase mutual investments. JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 9 Foreign Policy

Volkan Bozkır Became the 75th General Assembly of the UN Türkiye’s candidate Volkan Bozkır became the president of 75th United Nations General Assembly, where the decisions reflect the general opinion of the international community and world leaders call for a diplomatic solution to the global problems of the world, and have the chance to explain the policies of the countries.

Latin America and the Caribbean and Western Europe and other states, Bozkır was elected as the chairman of the Western Europe and other states group. Volkan Bozkır, who was elected to the UN General Assembly Presidency where representatives from one region are elected every year in order to provide equal geographical representation, was the only candidate for the presidency. As a result of the election in which three votes were invalid and 11 countries voted abstaining, Bozkır TÜRKİYE’S candidate Volkan countries were taken to the hall in became the 75th term president of Bozkır became the President of the time zone allocated to them while the UN General Assembly with the the 75th United Nations (UN) Volkan Bozkır voting. This year, at the UN General support of 178 countries. Volkan General Assembly. Volkan Bozkır, became the 75th Assembly, where 193 countries were Bozkır will take over the task from former European Union Minister term president of represented, Venezuela lost its right UN 74th General Assembly Tijjani and Chief Negotiator elections, the UN General to vote because it was unable to pay Muhammad-Bande on September the Parliamentary Commissioner its financial contribution debt. That's 15 and will continue his duty until for External Affairs Ambassador, Assembly with why a total of 192 member countries September 2021. beaceme the first Turkish president the support of 178 voted. Member countries; in the Evaluating the election result, of UN General Assembly on June 17. countries. General Assembly election, where Bozkır commented, “These are due Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, it was divided into five separate to the trust in Türkiye and our belief representatives of the member regions: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, that we can do this well”. London, Ankara make progress in trade deal talks PROGRESS has been made Britons voted to leave in a Any Türkiye-U.K. free trade in ongoing talks on a trade referendum but will remain in deal would only be able to deal between London and a transition period with the take place following an EU- Ankara, the U.K.’s Secretary EU until Dec. 31 this year. U.K. free trade deal, as Türkiye of State of International The U.K. has until the end must stay in line with EU trade Trade and Minister for of 2020 – a transition period policy due to its membership Women and Equalities Liz during which it will remain a in the customs union, even if it Truss said. “Great to see EU member in all but name is not a full EU member. Britain & Türkiye trade talks – to hammer out a new trade Türkiye-U.K. trade volume progress today,” Truss said deal with the EU. If they fail, reached $18.6 billion in 2018, on her Twitter account. the legal default will be a with $11.2 billion in exports Stressing a strong trading potentially crippling no-deal and $7.4 billion in imports. relationship worth 19 billion Brexit that would leave trade As for 2019, Türkiye's pounds (around $23.5 between Britain and the EU exports to the country billion), she said: “We are starting in 2021 based on amounted to some $10.87 working hard to ensure we World Trade Organization billion, while its imports can reach a U.K.-Türkiye (WTO) terms that would came in at around $5.43 trade deal at the end of the impose import duties and billion, official data showed. transition period.” The U.K. controls. Over the course of Nearly 3,000 British-owned formally left the European the year, the U.K. will continue companies are operating Union on Jan. 31, 2020, after to abide by the trade terms in Türkiye, with the U.K. 47 years of membership and set by the EU but will also be among one of the country's more than three years after free to strike new trade deals. leading investors.

10 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

Turkish Coast Guard rescues 1,774 asylum seekers

Continuing its struggle for irregular migration in the pandemic period, T.C. The Coast Guard Command rescued 1,774 immigrants in 53 incidents in May and June, and caught six immigrant smugglers.

TURKISH COAST GUARD does Guard boats when they entered 381 ASYLUMS not allow irregular migrants who the Greek territorial waters. The RESCUED IN A WEEK want to cross to the European Greek Coast Guard teams, who In the meantime, the Turkish coasts over Turkish territorial seized the engine on the rubber Coast Guard Command said that waters. Illegal transitions were raft and the items on irregular Türkiye rescued 1,774 asylum decreased in March and April migrants, pushed the rubber raft seekers in last the two months. started to increase in May. The into the Turkish territorial waters. Between May 5 and june 11, a Greek Coast Guard boats make Turkish Coast Guard teams, that total of 381 asylum seekers were irregular migrants desperate were patrolling off the Kargı held or rescued in 14 incidents, by pushing the immigrants Island in the Bodrum district and also between June 12 and approaching the European shores of Muğla, met with immigrants june 18, a total of 454 asylum repeatedly into the Turkish who were trying to cling to the seekers were held or rescued in 11 territorial waters. raft that is drifting. Turkish Coast incidents, the coast guard said on The Turkish Coast Guard Guard teams came to the rescue Twitter. on June 13 rescued 93 asylum of a group of 16 immigrants who Three smugglers were also seekers who were pushed back were helplessly dragged on the arrested, it added, sharing four by Greek forces into Turkish rubber raft. photos from the rescue operations territorial waters, according to where the Turkish teams in full security sources. The asylum protective gear were seen taking seekers of various nationalities asylum seekers’ temperature. initially set off for the Greek island Türkiye has been a key transit of Lesbos (Midilli) from Ayvacık in point for asylum seekers aiming Çanakkale, northwestern Türkiye. to cross into Europe to start new Their two rubber rafts were lives, especially those fleeing war pushed back to Turkish territorial and persecution. waters by the Greek Coast Guard, Türkiye earlier this year opened said the sources, who asked not to its gates for irregular migrants be named due to restrictions on wanting to cross to Europe, speaking to the media. accusing the EU of failing to keep Five days after this incident, its promises under a 2016 migrant 16 irregular migrants sailing deal. Türkiye currently hosts nearly into the sea with a rubber raft four million Syrians, making it the were stopped by Greek Coast world's top refugee-hosting country.

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 11 Export Türkiye’s exports exceeded the normal output in June According to the export data of June announced by TİM, Türkiye’s exports inreased by 15.8 percent in June 2020 and reached 13.5 billion dollars. The record increase rate was achieved in exports with an increase of 35.2 percent compared to May. 24 of the 27 sectors have increased their exports. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle commented, "Türkiye have secured its position as the 'safe harbor of' global trade and started exporting more than usual" he commented.

TÜRKİYE, that did not stop "Türkiye have secured behind in the normalization "We continue our Virtual Trade production and supplied products, its position as the 'safe process that started in June in Mission activities in different mainly foodstuff, that the world harbor of' global trade" our country. We are aware of the countries and new markets within needs, quickly began to normalize. started exporting more extraordinary opportunities of the scope of our New Generation Türkiye’s exports rose 15.8 percent than usual.” extraordinary conditions. Our Commercial Diplomacy. Virtual in June compared to the same exporters have always done what Trade Delegations are of great month of the previous year. can not to be done and achieved importance in ensuring intensive İsmail Gülle, The Chairman that were thought that could not commercial cooperation. As of Turkish Exporters Assembly be achieved. This increase in TİM, we will continue our New (TİM) evaluated the success of exports shows that buyers abroad Generation Trade Diplomacy Türkiye in exports in June, in a also trust Turkish exporters.” activities in target markets with time where the outlook of the Gülle noted that, as TİM 95 thousand members of the global economy have revised they continued to evaluate all export family.” downwards by the international the opportunities and risks for organizations, and said, "Türkiye exporters in Türkiye, and added, DESPITE THE have secured its position as the PANDEMIC, 'safe harbor of' global trade and TÜRKIYE started exporting more than INCREASED ITS usual.” Reminding the negative EXPORTS TO 144 effects of the epidemic that Top 3 exported countries COUNTRIES affected the global economy as “As the clearest well as Türkiye’s production and Germany dollars result of our SME exports in March, April and May, 1.3 billion export Mobilization Gülle said that Turkish exporters trainings, which have not stopped producing and United Kingdom 1 .1 million dollars we carry out at added, “Exporters continued to be every point of the dynamo of Türkiye during the US 792 million dollars our country epidemic. We left the first month as TİM; in

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June, 1,443 companies joined Kingdom with 1.1 billion dollars our export family,” said Gülle, and the USA with 792 million and announced that 38,373 dollars. Every sector has managed companies have exported in June. to export to 17 countries, Gülle pointed out that, despite including the USA, Germany, Italy the negative picture in global and the Netherlands. The share of of the trade, exporters have managed the European Union, the largest 24 to increase their exports to 144 market in exports, fell to 48.5 countries by 2.43 billion dollars percent with a volume of 6.53 and added, “In the 119 of the 144 billion dollars. countries Türkiye exports, the sectors increase was over 10 percent and THE MOST REMARKABLE over 50 percent in 61 countries. INCREASE WAS IN 27 While the leader of June was KASTAMONU increased its exports in the automotive sector with 2.2 Looking at the export of the billion dollars, the chemical provinces, in June, 68 provinces In the 119 of the June products sector was the second increased their exports. The 144 countries with 1.42 billion dollars, and the top three provinces exporting Türkiye exports, garment sector was third with the most are; Istanbul with 5.4 the increase was Exports increased 1.36 billion dollars. The strongest billion dollars, Bursa with 931 performances of June were nuts million dollars and Kocaeli over 10 percent more than and products with an increase with 865 million dollars. The and over 50 of 69.3 percent, cereals with an most noticeable increases are; percent in 61 increase of 66 percent, jewelry Kastamonu, which have increased with an increase of 60.2 percent, its exports by 631 percent with countries. ships and yachts with an increase 54 million dollars, Van with 10 of 58.8 percent and ornamental an increase of 293 percent plants with an increase of 55.2 have reached 6 million dollars percent. In June, 24 of the 27 and Kırıkkale, which made an percent to sectors increased their exports. export of 1.5 million dollars with an increase of 208 percent. GERMANY WAS THE MOST Kastamonu increased its exports EXPORTED COUNTRY by 11 times, while the mining 61 While Türkiye managed to export sector increased its exports to to 202 countries and regions 161 times in Van. In Kırıkkale, in June, the top three export it was seen that the machinery countries destinations were Germany with sector increased its exports by 44 1.3 billion dollars, the United percent.

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 13 Headlines

The towers of Çanakkale Bridge are completed The construction of 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, that has undertook by the joint venture of two Turkish and two South Korean companies, has completed the most critical process of the construction The bridge will come into service two years later.

THE construction of the 1915 period is 66 months, Turkish-S. nine countries on the job site, Çanakkale Bridge, which was 1915 Çanakkale Korean joint venture aims to including Türkiye, Korea, Japan, tendered in 2017, continued Bridge will be complete the the construction in Australia, UK, Netherlands, during the COVID-19 outbreak awarded the title four years. The 1915 Çanakkale Denmark and India. with the insulation. In May, Bridge project also includes The project is planned to the last block of 318 meter of "the world's the Kınalı-Tekirdağ-Çanakkale- be completed in March 2020. high towers was placed. The largest middle Savaştepe Highway Project, which Thanks to the bridge, the 1-hour assembly of the bridge piper span suspension is a total of 101 kilometers, crossing period will decrease to was completed in May. The fact including 88 kilometers of 4 minutes. It will also reduce the that the welding works were bridge" when highway and 13 kilometers time to reach the city centers on made according to planned is completed. of connection road. Rapid both sides to 6 minutes. of great importance in terms of construction process continues Crossing times between opening the bridge to service on highways. Gallipoli and Çanakkale, which earlier because it is one of the Nearly 6 thousand workers are currently accessible by determining factors of the work at the entire construction ferries, can take up to 3-4 hours completion time of the project. site of the project. There are due to the intensity especially Even though the construction workers and engineers from during the holiday season. 14 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

MALKARA-CANAKKALE Freight transportation highway and the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, will started in Marmaray integrate the land, railway of and air transport systems THE FIRST TRIPS domestic and export to Marmara and Aegean cargo transportation regions, which are the in Marmaray, which most developed regions of enables uninterrupted Türkiye’s economy. rail transportation between Europe and China, started in May. The first international freight train from Marmaray passed on November 6, 2019. The cargo train of China Railway Express, which goes from China to Europe, has travelled 11 thousand 483 kilometres by TWO TURKISH, TWO KOREAN crossing 2 continents, COMPANIES TAKES CHARGE 10 countries and 2 seas. For the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, The train departing 24 companies, 4 Japanese, 3 from China arrived in Chinese, 2 Korean, 1 Italian, Prague 12 days later. purchased the tender dossier, but The COVID-19 epidemic 4 joint venture groups submitted increased demand for proposals. Daelim, SK (S.Korea) railroad, which is the - Limak, Yapı Merkezi OGG joint most reliable mode of venture made the most suitable transport, as it enables offer with the nearest deadline contactless transport. and won the tender. The joint Marmaray, which is venture group offered a total of used for passenger 16 years, 2 months and 12 days transportation, has of operation, including a project been opened for cargo cost of 10.35 billion TL and a transportation as of May. 5.5-year construction period for It is stated that with the bridge and highway construction. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) For the project, financing line, Marmaray will play was provided from 11 different an important role in countries from 25 different Asia-Europe trade after banks. the pandemic. Time between Izmir and Antalya will decrease to 3 hours

THE TENDER for the Aydın- completion of the Denizli-Burdur Denizli Highway, which is the and Burdur-Antalya highways, second phase of the highway which will be tendered in the that will provide uninterrupted next stages with the Aydın- transportation from Izmir Denizli Motorway, the current to Antalya, which is in the 580-kilometer trip, which takes continuation of the Izmir-Aydın 6-7 hours, will be reduced to 3 Highway that is open to service, hours by the 440 km highway. has been delayed due to the Access to important tourism epidemic. In the highway project centers such as Pamukkale and that will connect Izmir and Ephesus Antique City will be Antalya, the 163-kilometer Aydın- made easier by the highway. The Denizli Highway project will be project is targeted to be completed Thanks to the highway project, time between Izmir built with the build-operate- within three years after the and Antalya will decrease to 3 hours. Therefore, transfer (BOT) model. With the tender. people will reach to significant tourism center easily. JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 15 Aviation

Istanbul Airport is Now Faster with its Third Runway President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan opened the third runway at Istanbul Airport, which will increase the hourly aircraft landing-take-off capacity from 80 to 120.

FLIGHTS STARTED in Istanbul approximately 50 percent decrease air traffic capacity will increase Airport, which was closed to in the existing taxi times in from the number of take-offs and passenger flights due to Covid-19 domestic flights. According to the landings of 80 aircraft per hour pandemic, with the normalization simulations, the average aircraft to 120, while the flexibility of the process that started on June 1. landing time will decrease to 11 airways will increase. With the On 14 June, new completed areas minutes from 15 minutes, and the new runway, an average of more were opened, with a ceremony average aircraft takeoff time will than 2 thousand 800 landings and attended by President Recep decrease to 15 minutes from 22 take offs can be reached daily. Tayyip Erdoğan. According to The airport will minutes. The second "End-Around Speaking at the ceremony the statement from IGA, the reach a capacity Taxi Way", which aims to alleviate President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan new runway will increase hourly of 200 million the congestion at airports where said that the airport will reach a aircraft landing-take-off capacity air traffic is very busy, will be put capacity of 200 million passengers from 80 to 120. Istanbul Airport passengers in into service with the new runway. in 2020. "We managed to increase will be the first airport in Türkiye 2020. Thus, there will be no restrictions the flights from 60 destinations that is capable of independent on the movement of aircrafts on abroad to 350. Air cargo capacity, operations in parallel with the ground at Istanbul Airport, which was 303 tons per day, has the number of the tracks and which are landing and taking off reached 2,500 tons," Erdoğan becoming the second airport after at the same time. Istanbul Airport added. The airport became fully the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam will now have 3 independent main operational on April 6, 2019. In its in Europe with said runway. With runways and 2 spare runways thus first full year, the airport hosted 74 the start of the third independent having 5 operational runways. airlines and welcomed more than runway, there will be an Thanks to the new runway, the 64 million passengers. 16 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 17 Headlines

50 armored military Turkish NGOs establish ambulances to consortium for Philips' small Qatar home appliances The five biggest NGOs of the Turkish business world are joining forces to purchase the brand of the small home appliance division of the world giant Philips, which is on sale.

of acquiring Philips in this regard. We will mobilize our material and spiritual facilities this issue," he said. Gülle said that the process ANOTHER ORDER will of acquirirng brands should be be sent to Qatar, one supported by the government of the most important and this need was relayed to markets of the Turkish the relevant ministers and defense industry added, "The global effects of the abroad. Nurol Makina, pandemic, for many well-known owned by the Turkish brands in the world's leading company Nurol Holding, economy, also brought serious signed an important financial difficulties. This case, agreement with the makes new new opportunities Qatar Ministry of for Türkiye to acquire a brand. A Defense. Nurol Makina team is working to explore brands will sell 50 Ejder Yalçın and opportunities for sale in the 4X4 armored vehicles world. ” to Qatar security forces. Minister of Trade Ruhsar Vehicles designed in the The proposal was shared by DEIK Pekcan said, “Establish the form of an ambulance Asia-Pacific Business Council consortium and apply to us. We will have the necessary President and Türkiye-Hong Kong will do our best within the scope equipment for the rapid Business Council President Murat of brand support.” and safe evacuation of Kolbaşı, at the meeting organised A market worth of 100 billion security forces. with the chairmanship of Minister dollars Ejder Yalçın, which of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan, was There are 10 thousand 300 Nurol exports to supported by the Minister and small home appliance brands different parts of the from other unions. The chairmen in the world. The largest among world, is known as of TOBB, DEİK, TİM, MÜSİAD and them is Philips' small home a tactical armored TÜSİAD stated that they are ready appliances division, with a combat vehicle. The for all kinds of support. turnover of 2.3 billion euros. Small vehicle, capable of Turkish Exporters Assembly household appliances having a carrying 11 people, is (TİM) Chairman Ismail Gülle, 100 billion dollars industry in the equipped with the said that Türkiye has to create of global market where the size of possibility of integration acquire a brand to reach its target the Turkish market is said to be 1 of different weapon and added, "I support the proposal billion dollars. systems with manual and remote control. The vehicle can reach 110 kilometers per hour. Nurol wins Bucharest's freeway tender CNAIR, the Romanian road by the Turkish company is part of infrastructure agency, announced that the 100.8-kilometer A0 project that the Turkish company Nurol has won surrounds the Romanian capital and an important construction tender. In runs parallel to an existing freeway. In a statement, Nurol Inşaat undertook May 2018 another Turkish company, the construction of the 17.5-kilometer the engineering and construction section of the Bucharest capital city contracting unit of Alarko Holding, of Romania, for 174 million dollars. Alsim Alarko, signed a contract of The freeway project bought by approximately 170 million dollars for the Nurol construction is expected to be construction of the 16.3 km section of completed in 2023. The tender won the highway.

18 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

Turkish contractor to build Türkiye’s Gas Storage Croatia's railway Project continues with full speed

STATE OIL COMPANY OF AZERBAIJAN (SOCAR) drilling unit of SOCAR AQS, Cengiz Holding, won the tender opened last year for the renewal has opened 40 wells of the 42.6 km long railway line of Croatia with a bid of 405 planned for the creation of gas storage areas million euros, started the project on May 25. under the Salt Lake Underground Natural CENGİZ İNŞAAT, won the tender challenging part of the project will Gas Storage Expansion for the reconstruction of the be the 338 meters long steel bridge Project in Türkiye. railway line between Krizevci and on the Drava river. The project, Drilling is completed Koprivnica in the north of Croatia that has a strategic importance in 17 of 40 wells, while and the construction of a new track for Croatia, represents the largest ork started on 6 of in parallel with the existing, could railway infrastructure investment in them. The firm plans to not start the construction due to the country's recent history. The EU complete the project at the COVID-19 outbreak. Following will meet 85 percent of the project the end of October. It the meeting with the Croatian financing. The tender, which recieved is stated that the total Government, it was announced offers from 10 companies from value of the project is that the construction of the project Türkiye, Slovenia, Spain, China and 103 million dollars. will begin on May 25th. Within the Austria and a consortium, is won by There are 12 framework of the agreement signed Cengiz Holding. The project, with underground gas by the railway infrastructure operator a length of 42.6 kilometers, will be storage caverns HZ Infrastruktura with Cengiz İnşaat completed on November 25, 2023. (artificial caves) in on March 12th, the project will Undertaking various projects the first part of the include nine train stations and stops, in Eastern Europe, Cengiz İnşaat Salt Lake Natural Gas seven bridges, two viaducts and 21 continues the construction of the Underground Storage underpasses and overpasses. The 5C Corridor Highway in Bosnia facility which consists of project will also build a 25-kilometer and Herzegovina and Elin Pelin- two parts. The facility, sound protection wall. The most Kostenets Railway Line in Bulgaria. which currently reaches a capacity of 680 million cubic meters, E-commerce volume increase of 48% in 5 months aims to store 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas at THE VOLUME of e-commerce in revealed. full capacity. 4.2 billion Türkiye amounted to 136 billion This, she said, marks an increase cubic meters of natural Turkish Liras (nearly $20 billion) in of 48% compared to the same gas will be stored in 2019, the country’s Minister of Trade period last year, adding e-commerce 40 caverns to be built said on June 24. food shopping increased six folds in the second part of During a virtual meeting on during the pandemic. the Salt Lake Natural Türkiye's Electronic Commerce Emphasizing that this data will Gas Underground Information System (ETBIS), be the main source in all future Storage Expansion Ruhsar Pekcan shared some details analyzes related to the e-commerce, Project. So that the of the country's e-commerce Pekcan said 85% of the country’s two facilities will data that is compiled for the total e-commerce volume in 2019 store 5.4 billion cubic first time. In the first five months comprised of domestic purchasing, meters of gas, which of this year, especially amid the 9% purchase from other countries corresponds about 10 coronavirus pandemic, the volume through Turkish e-commerce sites, percent of Türkiye’s gas of e-commerce reached 63.3 billion and 6% of Turkish citizens shopped consumption until 2023. Turkish Liras ($9.2 billion)," Pekcan from overseas.

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 19 Finance

Türkiye's World Bank is providing €314.5 million manufacturing to railway connectivity of Türkiye capacity up in June The World Bank is providing a €314.5 million ($350 million) loan to Türkiye for improving its rail connectivity.The project is expected TÜRKIYE'S manufacturing to reduce transport costs, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. industry used 66% of its capacity in June, the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) said on Wednesday. The capacity utilization rate (CUR) of the sector rose 3.4 percentage points on a monthly basis, the central bank survey showed. The figures are based on the responses given to its business tendency survey by THE WORLD BANK is providing a Country Director for Türkiye, local units operating €314.5 million ($350 million) loan stressed that rail accounts for 4% in the manufacturing to Türkiye for improving its rail of Türkiye’s transported tonnage industry, according to connectivity and logistics, the bank despite having economic geography the bank. said in a statement late on June 30. and commodity specialization The Türkiye Rail Logistics characteristics Improvement Project aims to "This leaves significant economic reduce transport costs in selected value on the table in terms of rail freight corridors and to avoidable logistics costs and strengthen institutional capacity environmental externalities,” said at the Transport and Infrastructure Kouame. Ministry to deliver rail freight Kouame underlined that the connectivity and manage rail- investments will help fully realize enabled logistics centers, said the rail freight’s potential in the country. statement. “The project is expected to reduce The financing will help revitalize transport costs, reduce emissions the transport and logistics sector of greenhouse gases and local and contribute to the sustainability pollutants, and increase the share of cargo owners operating supply of rail in the freight transport task Some 1,740 chains in the project’s target of the corridors targeted by the companies responded corridors in the aftermath of the project,” said Murad Gurmeric and to the survey this COVID-19 pandemic, it added. Luis Blancas, the project’s task team month. Among the six Auguste Kouame, World Bank leaders. main industrial groups, the highest capacity usage was 68.9% for food and beverage, EU gives $4.9 mln grant for Turkish firms' tech projects while nondurable consumer goods THE EU COMMISSION is statement. and consumer goods giving backing to a number Under the industrial posted the lowest rate, of Turkish firms' tech- leadership and competition both with 62.4%. related projects, said the component of Horizon 2020, In June, among Scientific and Technological an EU program promoting more than 20 Research Council of Türkiye research and innovation, a sectors, the highest (TÜBİTAK) on June 26. total of eight projects at CUR was posted by The commission will grant 11 companies (some done manufacturers of paper a total of €4.4 million in collaboration with each and paper products at ($4.94 million) to Turkish other) will be supported by 83.1%, and the lowest companies with projects in the the EU. capacity usage was fields of nanotechnology, advanced The 11 Turkish firms selected for the seen in manufacturers materials, biotechnology, advanced grants include energy giant Tüpraş, of leather products at manufacturing, and processing major appliances producer Arçelik, 44.5%. technologies, said a TÜBİTAK and cement producer Çimsa.

20 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

BIST Increases with New Investors Borsa Istanbul actualized the fastest serial increase in history at the end of May with the acquisitions of over 310 thousand new domestic investors.

THE TOTAL VOLUME of the made the vast majority. investment funds in Türkiye has Meanwhile, some 350,000 Interest in exceeded 150 billion Turkish new investors have placed Liras (22 billion dollars), and the nearly 45 billion liras (6.6 billion investment funds number of people and entities dollars) in stocks at the Borsa investing in them has reached Istanbul (BIST), according to floor increase 3.1 million, according to the traders. While the total number IN THE recent period, Settlement and Custody Bank of of stock market players reached Since mid-March, investors have seen to Borsa Istanbul (Takasbank). 1.5 million, the share of domestic be interested in private “The Turkish capital markets investors increased to 47 percent BIST 100 index pension funds besides are growing as our family of in May from 36 percent in increased 4.5 stocks. As of June, the investors is expanding. We are November 2019. percent. total investment funds working on enlarging the Turkish Since mid-March, when the reached 144 billion capital markets and diversifying first coronavirus infections were liras. Mutual funds investment tool instruments,” detected in Türkiye, BIST 100 approached pension said Minister of Treasury and index increased 4.5 percent. The funds of 145 billion liras. Finance Berat Albayrak in a shares of retailers and markets Thus, the total amount tweet, sharing figures from the recorded big hikes, but those of of funds reached 300 Takasbank. the banks and energy companies billion liras. Referring to tenders and retracted in the same period. construction works to build a The weights of Garanti Bank, business quarter with high-rise Akbank, BİM supermarket chain structures in Istanbul’s Ataşehir and the Turkish Petroleum district on the Anatolian side, he Refineries Corporation (Tüpraş) BIST 100, INCREASED said, “Being a financial center were 8.4 percent, 8.2 percent, 13 DAYS IN A ROW will suit Istanbul a lot.” 6.3 percent and 5.8 percent at The portfolio of investment the end of last year, respectively. 313 THOUSAND new investors have joined funds, which was at 122.7 billion The weights of the two banks Borsa Istanbul in the first five months of liras (20.6 billion dollars) at the decreased more than 2.1 percent the year. The BIST Index, which reached end of last year, increased 25 at the end of May, according 124 thousand points in January 2020, percent to 153.6 billion liras to Alnus Investments. In the declined to 84 thousand in April 2020. It (22.5 billion dollars) in the meantime, the weight of Tüpraş continued its rise from the second week first five months of this year, contracted to 4.0 percent. On its of May. In May alone, 80 thousand 406 Takasbank data showed. More part, the weight of BİM’s shares new individual investors joined BIST. The than 88,600 investors started in the BIST soared 50 percent to normalization process that started with putting money in investment nearly 9.5 percent. the removal of restrictions across the funds in the same period, country on 1 June enabled the BIST 100 bringing the total number of FOREIGN INVESTORS SELL to rise for 13 consecutive days for the first investors of these funds to nearly According to RTCB data, until time in history. Between May 15 and June 3.1 million. More than 118 the end of May, foreign investors 5, BIST made a new rally with a premium thousand of those investors were have sold a total of 4 billion rate of 10.9 percent. legal entities, while individuals dollars net each week.

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 21 Invest

Global gaming market sets its eye to Türkiye At a time when global foreign investments decreased significantly due to the epidemic, the sale of Turkish game firm Peak Games to Zynga with 1.8 billion dollars was the most talked about transaction by international investment markets.

THE TURKISH game will continue its activities under Latin America meet with players development industry has reached its own brand without any change via local broadcasters and reaches millions of gamers around the in its team and management 25 million people. world with games that have and will continue to remain as a According to Game Developers' peaked in the international Turkish company. Association of Türkiye (TOGED) arena in recent years. Global With a market value of around data; the export figure of the firms are starting to see the 136 billion dollars, the number sector, which was 400 million growth of the gaming industry of users worldwide has exceeded dollars in 2015, reached 500 that has intensified as well as two billion in the game industry, million dollars in 2016, 700 domestic firms in Türkiye. The which outperformed the global million dollars in 2017 and 1 young population of the country film industry. The number of billion 50 million dollars in 2018. is considered as an opportunity users in Türkiye is around 32 2019 export figures have not been for the game industry. The game The sale of Peak million and 150 thousand gaming officially announced, but it has industry is said to be about 32 computers are sold in Türkiye. exceeded the figures of 2018. By million gamers from Türkiye. created Türkiye’s This figure accounts for about 15 the end of this year, the export On the other hand, domestic first unicorn as percent of the computers sold in figure is expected to reach 1.5 companies are also very ambitious well as being one total. billion dollars. The sector, which in the market, which has an There is great interest in aims to export 10 billion dollars, annual export volume of 160 of the largest domestic games such as "Zula", can get more shares from the billion dollars. Turkish game acquisitions in "The Last One" and "Istanbul". global game market. firm Peak Games transferred the Türkiye Zula, except Türkiye, is palyed in company's shares to US game Brazil Europe, Iran, Russia and "TÜRKIYE HAS GREAT developer Zynga for 1.8 billion STRENGTH IN GLOBAL dollars last month, attracting COMPETITION" the attention of international One of the leading three brands investors. Because of the new in Türkiye and most well-known investments that had a serious games from computer brand decline due to the pandemic, Monster Notebooks CEO Ilhan the high level of the sale Yilmaz, Turkish companies are was remarkable. The sale of quite active in the global market Peak, being one of the largest and added, "Especially in the acquisitions in Türkiye, created last five years, we see a great the first “unicorn” of Türkiye. Peak, potential to be released. Türkiye whose partnership structure has has great power that can stand changed only with the agreement, out in the global competition in 22 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

160 billion dollars Annual game export value in the world in 2019 almost every area on the game. competition. Social awareness The size of the gaming industry in needs to be captured in order to Türkiye with a market share ranks truly unlock this potential.” 18th in the world. As a domestic game computer manufacturer, INCLUDED IN 1,5 we are developing business with TURQUALITY PROGRAM the world's most important The Turkish game development billion dollars manufacturers.” Yılmaz states that sector has been included in Türkiye's export target at 20 years ago they started off to the support programme of the the end of 2020 games create a global brand from Türkiye, Ministry of Commerce as it has gives the following information obtained more than 90 percent about the current situation, of its turnover from exports. "Besides online sales we have The ministry also included the stores in Istanbul, Ankara and digital game industry in the Izmir. By focusing on the global 'Turquality Program', which market, we launched an office in it has been implementing for Dubai and a store in Nicosia. In the the goods sectors for many coming months, we will launch years. The Ministry of Industry the largest game and experience and Technology has also been store in Europe on an area of supporting the game development approximately one thousand industry for a long time. With square meters in the Alexandre TÜBİTAK Technology and Platz square in Berlin. As Monster Innovation Support Programs Notebook, we direct this market, Directorate, KOSGEB supports especially in the field of gaming are used in the development computers. We know that the need of the sector. The Ministry has for high performance devices will supported 426.7 million liras in not disappear in the long run, but the last 10 years for the start- we also have the ideal to open ups in the game industry with completely different doors in the affiliated and related institutions. THE GAME MARKET future, especially in the software Turkish Exporters Assembly, field. ” Services Exporters' Association ALSO HAS A U.S.- and Ankara Development CHINA COMPETITION AWARENESS Agency also supports the sector WILL BE INCREASED as well as some institutions and ALTHOUGH the USA is the There are also significant career organizations through various leading country in the digital opportunities in the Turkish methods such as technoparks. game industry since the past, game industry. As gaming and China is the leader in market e-sports is now included in the share. The rapid rise of mobile curriculum of related departments games globally in China's of universities in many countries rapid rise in the industry has as well as in Türkiye. But young a big impact. China alone people, parents and educators has 28 percent of the world do not have enough information digital game market and in this area. This consulted the earns 34 billion dollars in residential ESL Türkiye General revenue from gaming exports, Manager Gokhan Kazar said, "We while the US follows it with an firmly believe that the added value export revenue of 32 billion production that our country needs dollars, 23 percent. Countries will rise from the game world such as Korea, Japan, France and that many more domestic also come to the forefront as enterprises will stand out in global having a say in the sector. JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 23 Invest

TPAY Mobile buys fintech platform Payguru OWNED by the British Helios funding. We are delighted to be Investment Partners, UAE-based joining TPAY Mobile, a leading payment services provider TPAY actor in the region,” said Payguru Mobile has acquired Payguru.A CEO Işık Uman.Emphasizing the Turkish payment platform growing fintech sector in Türkiye, established in 2015, Payguru offers Uman added, “Türkiye’s advanced several services, including mobile infrastructure in the information payments, ATM cash payments, technology, telecommunications, and bank transfer services. “We and banking sectors has are proud to have carried out a positioned the industry as an successful and profitable business important fintech market with within five years through organic participation from many global growth and with no external companies.”

Türkiye’s Natro Australia-based YaBB acquired by acquires Turkish fango Europe’s Leading FOUNDED BY Turkish and allow Yabb members entrepreneur Gökhan to monetize user- Digital Provider Çeliker in San Francisco, generated content with the influencer marketing Fango’s technology.”Fango ONE OF EUROPE’S platform Fango was connected more than leading digital acquired by Sydney- 40,000 influencers with enablers, team.blue has based social networking over 1.28 billion followers announced that it will and instant messaging in social media, and hosted acquire 100 percent of application Yabb on over 3,000 branded the shares of Turkish June 20.Commenting campaigns. hosting company Natro. on the acquisition, Yabb Aiming to expand in the CEO Kenneth Ting said, region, team.blue said in “Gökhan Çeliker and a statement that it will his team have created continue its operation a vibrant influencer in Natro’s Istanbul community and developed office with the current a cutting-edge platform. management team. The acquisition will give us With over 70 a tremendous head start employees, Natro provides service to more than 120,000 customers and is the registrar of choice for Swiss fragar purchased more than 500,000 Türkiye’s Gülçiçek Kimya domain names. Besides domain names, Natro’s products vary from security solutions to web hosting solutions and from e-mails to virtual servers.

ONE OF EUROPE’S The acquisition of Türkiye’s Gülçiçek Kimya by Swiss Fragar (Europe) SA was approved by the Competition Authority. Previously, owned by one of the world’s biggest perfume and aroma producers Firmenich, Fragar (Europe) SA has announced that it has established a partnership with Gülçiçek family by acquiring shares from MG International.

24 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

Toyota Plant in Türkiye selected Investment council best factory in Europe and Africa holds first meeting Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey has been named the of 2020 “Golden Plant” in Europe and Africa region by JD Power, ON JUNE 30, the a US-based independent research company. Coordination Council for the Improvement of the EVALUATING vehicles sold in Investment Environment the US automotive market in its (YOIKK) held its first Initial Quality Study (IQS), JD meeting of 2020 under Power asked drivers their thoughts the chairmanship of about automotive plants and their Vice President Mr. Fuat experiences after a 3-month test Oktay at the Presidential drive. Drivers picked Toyota’s C-HR Complex in Ankara. model as the best-quality vehicle, Delivering remarks while the Toyota plant in Turkey after the meeting, Oktay was selected the Best Factory in said, ​“Our economy, Europe and Africa region receiving which maintains its the Gold Plant Quality Award. strength with incentives Toyota Motor Manufacturing and supports, once again Turkey General Manager and demonstrates that it has CEO Toshihiko Kudo said, “This the best manufacturing plant not fast recovery reflexes success means a lot in terms of only in Europe and Africa region after the crises.” showing Turkey’s progress in the but also globally, and maintain this Oktay pointed out automotive industry. We aim to be position.” that YOIKK has so far taken 21 actions to improve the investment Tübitak to offer funding to R&D projects ecosystem in Turkey. The Venture Capital Fund, for a competitive edge in technology launched by the council, will finance Turkish firms THE SCIENTIFIC and eligible for the cash grant have manufacturing high-tech Technological Research Council of been kept highly broad, varying products while Logistic Turkey (TÜBİTAK) called on small from ICT, mobility, batteries to Centers will create a more and medium-sized enterprises energy technologies, robotics & effective supply chain (SMEs) to join its R&D Funding automation and life sciences. system in Turkey. He Program for the second half of Diversifying the domestic added that the road map 2020. digital world, establishing a solid prepared by the council Having granted R&D projects and competitive technology will elevate Turkey in the approximately USD 125 million ecosystem and enlarging Turkey’s Global Innovation Index. in cash in 2019, TÜBİTAK’s 1501 technology export capacity were Also attending the and 1507 programs will approve cited by TÜBİTAK’s website as meeting was Investment pre-applications until August driving forces to launch the R&D Office President Burak 10, 2020. The spectrum of fields Funding Program. Dağlıoğlu. Following its inclusion in the YOIKK secretariat, the Turkish Cargo raises its global market share Investment Office works hard on supporting TURKISH CARGO, the national “In the course of the pandemic with and developing flag carrier Turkish Airlines’ cargo its acute effects on a global scale, the national action plans to operations arm, has uplifted its global air cargo market experienced improve the investment global market share to 5 percent in a severe shrinkage, decreasing by 18% environment in Turkey. a laudable achievement scored at a in January-May. Turkish Cargo did not time when numerous other global see any loss of tonnage on a year-on- cargo carriers have been hurt by the year basis, though.” noted the report. COVID-19 outbreak. Transporting shipments to over Air Cargo World’s data for May 300 direct and indirect destinations, showed that even though the global Turkish Cargo also served as an airfreight market contracted by 28.5 intermediary between Turkey and percent under pressure from the the countries in need of help during novel coronavirus, Turkish Cargo fared the pandemic. From January to June, differently. The air cargo carrier was Turkish Cargo airlifted 21,547 tons of touted for taking charge of one out of medicine and nearly 7,000 medical every 20 air shipments. equipment.

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 25 Entertainment

Türkiye, Pakistan Enjoy Burgeoning Cooperation in TV, Film Sectors Turkish television and film productions have continued to make waves internationally, especially in Pakistan.

BUILDING BRIDGES, EXPORTING TALENT “Art is the most effective way to share common cultural values and heritage,” Omar Imtiaz, CEO of the Istanbul-based Imtiaz Holding said. “Through this cooperation, we hope to build new ties, not only between Pakistani and Turkish producers and actors, but also between commercial brands from both countries.” “Türkiye has been very successful in harnessing the power of art to build bridges: politically, economically and in the tourism sector,” Imtiaz said. “In this regard, we are doing our best to bring popular Pakistani television serials to Türkiye, and vice versa,” he added. In May, the series began airing on state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) three times a week, including one new weekly THE POPULARITY of Turkish episode. Professionally dubbed TV serials continues to grow into Urdu, the show racked up a and not just in Türkiye. Recently, whopping 450 million Pakistani The Turkish serials Diriliş Ertuğrul (‘Resurrection: viewers within its first month on Ertuğrul’), a TV series based on air. This means that, in terms of are popular in more the real-life story of 13th-century viewership, Resurrection Ertuğrul Muslim Turkish leader Ertuğrul has achieved greater popularity in than 100 countries Gazi, has taken Pakistan by storm, Pakistan than it has in its native attracting more than 450 million Türkiye. in the world viewers since its first airing in May. Due to the show’s runaway WINNING HEARTS, success, Pakistani media firms are JOINING FORCES MORE bla Türkiye, the now hoping to secure the rights to “Turkish performers and world's second serial- more Turkish TV productions. television serials have won the film exporter of the Turkish television and film hearts of the Pakistani people,” world, after the USA, productions have continued Hasan Güngör, whose casting began to carry its to make waves internationally, agency provided much of the success in the Middle especially in Pakistan. This has show’s cast, said. “Resurrection East, Latin America been especially the case with Ertuğrul has now been seen by and Arab countries Resurrection: Ertuğrul, which nearly half a billion people in to Western countries. some have described as “Türkiye’s Pakistan. Our two nations share a Türkiye's market volume Game of Thrones.” Sophisto Global great history; it’s only natural that reaching the number Medya, a subsidiary of Imtiaz they join forces.” of audience in more Holding, the largest Istanbul based “We have incredible talent in than 100 countries Pakistani company, which first Türkiye, which we would like worldwide is over 350 had the idea of dubbing the series to showcase to the rest of the million dollar. into Urdu (the national language world,” Güngör added. “Through of Pakistan), and Türkiye’s Hasan this new cooperation, we hope to Güngör Talent Management, strengthen the film and television which provided much of the sectors in both Türkiye and show’s cast, have signed a Pakistan so they get the global cooperation agreement. attention they deserve.” 26 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

Ottoman sultan’s portrait was bought by Istanbul Municipality

A portrait of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II put up for auction in London on June 25 and was bought to Istanbul Municipality. The portrait is tought to be drawn by Italian painter Gentile Bellini in 1480.

THE ISTANBUL Metropolitan portrait is the figure next to Fatih Bellini, the portrait will be put on Municipality bought the oil Sultan Mehmet. The portrait was auction for the first time. painting, which is believed to have estimated to have been made The portrait, painted either emerged from the workshop of the in the second half of the 15th during the era of Sultan Mehmed II Italian painter Gentile Bellini in century, and another important (1432-1481) or at a time very close the 15th century, one of the three aspect of the work is that it was to his era, is one of the highlights original portraits of Fatih Sultan one of only three portraits made of the auction. The sultan was Mehmet Han and was sold at an during his era. The other famous composed with another figure in auction in London. painting of him was drawn the portrait, who was estimated Believed to have been drawn by by Bellini and has been in the to be his son, Cem Sultan. The Italian painter Gentile Bellini in collection of the National Gallery portrait has been owned by the 1480, the portrait fetched 770,000 in London. same family for 200 years. pounds (6.5 million Turkish Liras) One of three oil paint portraits Sultan Mehmed II conquered at the Christie’s auction house. depicting Ottoman Sultan Mehmed Istanbul in 1453 when he was 21 The portrait, which is part of II, known as Sultan Mehmed the years old and transformed the city the auction house’s Islamic and Conqueror, will be auctioned on into a rich Ottoman capital. He Indian Art collection, is unsigned. July 8 by Sotheby’s London. Made invited Bellini to Istanbul in 1479 One of the great mysteries of the by famous Venetian painter Gentile to draw his portrait. Chinese H3C to invest in Türkiye EVALUATING the distribution company, which made 5 billion outstripped those countries agreement they made with dollars in 2019, aims to invest in in both turnover and sales Boğaziçi Bilgisayar, H3C Türkiye Türkiye as of next year. network in the first six months Manager Zhao Long, said that If H3C takes 10 percent form of 2020. This year and the first Türkiye is the right country for the market cap of 450 million quarter of 2021, will be decisive technology investments and dollars IT and Network products in H3C’s possible investment in added, "This year and the first sector, the company is expected Türkiye.”anlaşmasını ve Türkiye’ye quarter of 2021 will be decisive to make physical investments in yatırımla ilgili planlarını şöyle on H3C’s possible investment in Türkiye. H3C Türkiye Manager değerlendirdi: “Türkiye pazarına Türkiye.” Mr. ZHAO Long evaluated the girmeden önce birçok firmayı Türkiye partner of Philips, Dyson, distributorship agreement araştırdık. Türkiye, teknoloji Kyocera and Corsair Boğaziçi they made with Boğaziçi and yatırımları için doğru bir ülke. Bilgisayar, signed a distributorship computer-related investment H3C’nin satış ve pazarlama ağı agreement with H3C, China-based plans and said, "We researched Çin dışında Japonya, Tayland, routers, modems and switches many companies before entering Pakistan, Kazakistan, Rusya, manufacturer. Boğaziçi Bilgisayar, the market in Türkiye. Türkiye is Malezya ve Türkiye’de mevcut. continues its activities within the right country for technology 2020’nin ilk altı ayında Türkiye the scope of Tecde Group, is investments. H3C’s sales and hem ciro hem de satış ağı cooperating with H3C in the field marketing network outside konusunda bu ülkeleri geride of sales and marketing as of the Japan, China, Thailand, Pakistan, bıraktı. Bu yıl ve 2021’in ilk çeyreği, beginning of this year. Chinese Kazakhstan, Russia, available in H3C’nin muhtemel Türkiye technological infrastructure Malaysia and Türkiye. Türkiye yatırımında belirleyici olacak.”

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 27 28 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

TÜRKİYE RISING WITH NATIONAL INDUSTRY Türkiye has strengthened the spirit of national unity and accelerate their domestic technology investments by eliminating the attempted coup of Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) four years ago. Türkiye has succeeded in reducing its foreign dependency in many fields, especially in the defense industry, has also increased the exports of value added national technologies. Türkiye, demonstrated a successful crisis management during the pandemic also gave the message of being reliable supplier country.

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 29 Cover SINCE 2016, July has become a major turning point in the history of Türkiye’s political and economic history. The attempted coup by Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) was eliminated by the people's owning democracy as well as the political authority.

TURKİYE’S business world national economy began to recover industry to fight the epidemic and its economy have begun a in a short time. The country's from disinfection products. transformation in this period. The export growth rate in five years Türkiye produced respiratory coup attempt, that had a negative was about 20 percent. devices, being one of the impact on Türkiye’s economic During the COVID-19 outbreak, few countries that could, by growth and development, the spirit of unity formed had transferring technology gained has improved the spirit of great gains for the country. in the national defense industry togetherness. Considering that Türkiye’s industries have not to domestic health equipment the coup attempt was carried stopped the production with its production. Numerous countries out under the control of external raw material stock, its human that experienced disruptions in the powers, the state administration resources and managing risk supply chain during the pandemic and business world accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic were looking for an alternative to reduce the country's foreign period , when to global trade came producer country besides China, dependency in every field. The to a standstill. The textile and along with the normalization largest contribution was made ready-made garment sector, one process. Türkiye, is moving by the umbrella organization of of the most important industries towards becoming the shining star 95 thousand exporters, Turkish in the country, supported the of the new countries of the world Exporters Assembly, as the biggest production of protective clothing with its technological investments foreign currency earners. Thus, the and masks, and the chemical and production.

What happened in July 15th and after was not forgotten… The July 15 coup attempt went country. President Recep Tayyip of July 16, as a result of the down in history as a military coup Erdogan, who was in Marmaris operations carried out by attempt by a group of soldiers during the coup attempt, called the personnel of the Turkish who identified themselves as on the public to react to the Armed Forces and the General the Peace Council at the Turkish coup and protect democracy in Directorate of Security, and Armed Forces. On the evening the connection he made through the soldiers surrendered with of July 15, the official website of FaceTime in CNN Türk. After the their weapons. The date of July the Turkish Armed Forces and call, anti-coup protests have 15 was declared as an official the statement published on TRT been held in many provinces of holiday in 2017 under the name announced that the army seized Türkiye. of Democracy and National Unity the government and declared The coup attempt was Day in order to commemorate martial law and curfew in the suppressed on the morning the martyrs in the coup attempt.

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TÜRKİYE CAN TAKE FAST activities and we begin to collect to their areas of responsibility. ACTION IN CRISES the fruits of good relations. We Türkiye prioritized the growth Turkish Exporters Assembly have reached the record levels of of the domestic industry with Chairman İsmail Gülle said, our Republic's history in exports. ” oriented economy. In the last four "Turkish business world, especially years, while the country's export our exporters, is capable of rapid RECOVERY ACCELERATED has reached historic records, the action taken in times of crisis," WITH SECTOR AND rate of localization in production and noted that this feature came MARKET DIVERSITY and exports has started to forward in pandemic process Nearly 100 billion dollars of increase. In addition to increasing that affected the world. Gülle money that were smuggled exports, alternative export emphasized that Türkiye continued abroad through companies markets were created and bilateral its production at a time when associated with the FETO Terrorist new agreements were signed the world stopped producing. Organization had a negative with many countries. The current Reminding that they did not stop impact on the economy in this account deficit has decreased production in the coup attempt process. Despite all this, in the slightly in the last four years. on July 15 as exporters, Chairman four years since the coup attempt, Gülle said, “At that time, our the government, banks and THE ECONOMY IS exporters gave the message that exporters worked in harmony GROWING WITH EXPORTS they would continue to produce with each other and managed Türkiye’s economy, which grew for the country by being in charge the process very well. Domestic 6.1 percent in 2015, performed of the production. Each exporter investments did not slow down. poorly with 2.9 percent after the talked with customers abroad As the ties of the members coup attempt in 2016 due to the and gave a message of trust. As severed from public institutions, negative effects. Although the Turkish Exporters Assembly, we politics and military, the focus unity spirit struggle of the political have engaged in various lobbying of the institutions was limited and private sector has brought JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 31 Cover

growth to 7.4 percent in 2017, the growth decreased to 2.6 percent The 7th most popular country in Europe in terms of FDI in 2018, due to the uncertainties, trade wars and obstacles According to EY's (Ernst & The United Nations experienced in the global economy Young) European Country Conference on Trade and and 0.9 percent in 2019. Türkiye’s Attractiveness Survey in Development (UNCTAD) economy grew 4.5 percent in the 2018, Türkiye became the reported that global direct first quarter of 2020, when major seventh most popular foreign investments are economies shrunk due to the country in Europe in terms expected to decrease by COVID-19 pandemic. of Foreign Direct Investment. 40 percent in 2020 due to The biggest driving force of the Türkiye has created 261 the economic downturn economy was exports. Türkiye’s projects in 2018, increasing caused by the COVID-19. On overall exports, in 2019, Türkiye the number of projects by 14 the other hand, UNCTAD broke an export record of 180 percent annually. This figure stated that Türkiye will billion dollars. The number of increased to 209 billion become more attractive in Türkiye’s exporters rose to around dollars in the period 2003- terms of new investments, 100 thousand. 2018. While the number of as Türkiye proved to be companies with international a reliable supplier during TÜRKİYE BECAME capital in Türkiye was 5,600 the pandemic, with its THE THIRD COUNTRY WITH in 2002, , by the end of 2018 geographical location and THE HIGHEST AID this figure has reached 65 its production power. T. C. Türkiye passed the epidemic thousand and 533. Türkiye Vice President Fuat Oktay test with the diversity of the received 65.1 billion dollars announced that, they are sectors making it an important in foreign direct investment carrying out the preparations production center. Türkiye has between the years 2015- of a road map that will not stopped production in March 2019. attract investments.

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carrying out studies for local and national technology Türkiye has increased its investments in the field of domestic technology 65,1 after the coup attempt. With the Technology Focused Industry billion dollars Mobility Program, published in The amount of foreign investments coming 2019, investments to increase the to Türkiye in last five years production of high value added products in the middle-high and high-tech sectors and products of critical importance for the development of these sectors will 16,8 be supported. Türkiye aims to create at least 23 smart products billion dollars to be a global brand in at least one Overseas investment amount of of the new fields that are called Turkish companies in 2015-2019 disruptive technologies. DEFENSE INDUSTRY technology exports was also PLAYED A LEADING ROLE gained. With the national technology The biggest steps to increase %19,8 move, the domestic production of defence industry exports to critical technologies in the defense allied countries were 30 ATAK İncrease in exports between helicopters and 4 MİLGEM the years 2015-2019 industry and the rate of domestic product use rose from 20 percent projects with Pakistan. Both to 68 percent. The target of rate of agreements are considered the domestic products is 75 percent biggest export of the defence for 2023. Defense industry exports industry in one item. also increased significantly. Since the engine used in ATAK There are nearly 700 projects helicopters is a joint production with a financial value of 75 of US and UK companies, an billion dollars, led by the Defense export permit is required from the Industry Directorate. USA. For this reason, the fact that exports have not been realized EXPORTS INCREASED yet reveals the importance of BY 40 PERCENT domestic production. President According to the 2019 report of the T. C. Presidential Defence prepared by the Defense and Industry, Dr. İsmail Demir Aviation Industry Manufacturers underlines that the work on the Association (SaSaD) for defense domestic helicopter engine is industry performance data; continuing and that the domestic and April, when the COVID-19 engine is planned to be used in epidemic spread rapidly, and exports of the defense industry sector were at 3.1 billion dollars. the ATAK helicopter two years supplied the globe with the later. agricultural and food products, Defense industry’s total domestic renewing confidence. Türkiye and international sales in 2019 proved once again being a safe amounted to 10.9 billion dollars. haven for trading partners; Imports were amounted to especially for the EU. Türkiye 3.9 billion dollars, while R&D has played a leading role in the expenditures were at 1.7 billion supply of masks and protective dollars in this sector. In the report, it was reminded that total exports 3,1 gear during the pandemic. In a statement from the Ministry were amounted to 2.2 billion of Foreign Affairs, it has been dollars in 2018, while an annual billion dollars mentioned that aids have been increase of 40 percent. Türkiye’s defense industry delivered to about 40 countries, exports in 2019 including United Kingdom, Italy TÜRKİYE EXPORTS WARSHIPS and Spain. During the pandemic, AND HELICOPTERS Türkiye became the third country The national production move in the world that most aid after launched 15 years ago with China and the United States. projects such as ALTAY, ANKA, ATAK, BAYRAKTAR, HÜRKUŞ and PRODUCTS DIVERSIFIED, MİLGEM enabled the Turkish SECTORS GREW Armed Forces to supply the To reduce dependence on land, sea, air, and weapon and foreign defense industry for radar systems from domestic the last 20 years, especially in companies. In addition, acceleration in medium and high

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TÜRKİYE WILL STAND OUT AT HEALTH TECHNOLOGY The beginning the transfer of the gains achieved in other sectors of Türkiye’s defence industry was another gain. "We were drawing attention to the fact that the technologies developed in the defence industry were used by our companies in the health sector long before the epidemic," said Prof. Dr. Demir and added, “ASELSAN have speed up some of it works and ventilation device was created. We have passed the test with the participation of four companies, two of them from the defence industry. We expect the supports given to various Turkish-made respirators countries will provide Türkiye are being used in many a good image in the long term continents from Brazil to The best examples showing and aim to increase our exports Somalia. with the positive contribution. the capabilities of local technology Türkiye The studies in Türkiye has been carefully monitored in the world and from various countries at local production, co-production or demand quickly began to come in direct procurement issues. This means that the technology in Türkiye, was instrumental in implementing the recognition in the health field." With the engineering and technological competencies of ASELSAN and BAYKAR and with the support of Arçelik in mass production, the ventilator devices, which have been developed in a very short time, have become a It is aimed to make the in 2021, Türkiye will be able product used in hospitals. The first flight of the National to build such a product cooperation between the three Combat Aircraft (MMU), and have the chance to companies and their suppliers developed by TUSAS/TAI, export. in this process was a valuable in 2023. If the project goes Baykar, which develops example for the spirit of national as planned it will make technology in the defense unity created. Türkiye a country that industry, has exceeded has the infrastructure and the imports with the UAV NATIONAL ELECTRIC technology to produces (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) TRAIN IS ALSO READY 5th generation combat and SİHA (Unmanned Another area in which the aircrafts with the US, Armed Aircraft). national technology moved Russia and China. Türkiye’s ability to send forward was the railways. The The Multi-Purpose its own system into space factory tests of the National Amphibious Assault Ship was also increased with Electric Train Factory Test Kit, TCG Anadolu, which is Space Agency which developed by Türkiye Wagon under construction in is established last year. Industry Inc. (TÜVASAŞ), began Tuzla shipyards, will be Agency will develop last month. It was stated that the the largest sea platform national communication rate of locality was 60 percent in the inventory of the and reconnaissance in the prototype set, and it was Turkish Armed Forces observation satellites, emphasized that the rate of when completed. With the “Türksat 6A” and “Göktürk locality would be increased to 80 delivery of TCG Anadolu renovation” projects. percent with mass production. 34 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

Istanbul will be the health capital of the world Türkiye, fighting successfully with COVID-19 a total construction area of 950 thousand 705 completed. It was announced that the hospital, pandemic, is preparing to play an important role square meters. The largest hospital in Europe will which is expected to be put in the service soon, in health tourism with its four city hospitals in be in Sancaktepe district on the Anatolian Side will serve with 600 beds and 27 operating rooms. Istanbul that are being prepared. Basaksehir City of Istanbul. The hospital will be established on The hospital is expected to contribute to the target Hospital’s, Türkiye’s third largest and Istanbul’s an area of 3 million 330 thousand square meters of Istanbul to be the health capital of the world. largest hospital, first phase was launched in April. and will have a capacity of 4,200 beds when Another city hospital is built at Atatürk When all the phases of the hospital are completed, completed. Airport, which remains idle after Istanbul Airport. it will be the hospital with the highest intensive The first phase of Göztepe City Hospital, the Construction works started within the scope of care capacity in Europe in a single campus, with construction of which started in 2014, was also corona virus measures continue.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “We have respirators are being used in many continents sent medical equipment and supplies to from Brazil to Somalia. Turkish-made medical 138 countries regardless of their religion, products are increasingly attracting attention. language, race or region. We also produced Our exemplary fight against COVID-19 has respirators, developed by Turkish engineers opened a new window of opportunity for and manufactured by Turkish companies. Türkiye in health tourism. We are determined We are now exporting these devices. In to make Türkiye a healthcare hub of three addition to our own hospitals, Turkish-made continents,”

Enlightenment started in the countries FETO’s coup attempt resurrected Türkiye in a political and an economic way and launched the enlightenment process in developing countries. Turkish politicians visited politicians and business worlds of some countries, where FETO structuring has been made, and explained their experiences and emphasized that they are ready for any kind of support. Türkiye has launched a lighting example in these countries and has overtaken the structuring of the organization. After the visits, Türkiye’s political and economic relations with many countries began to develop positively. Between 2015 and 2019, the number of countries exported more than 5 billion dollars increased by 25 percent.

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Rising trend in tourism AESTHETIC TOURISM Türkiye’s exports rose 6.1 percent on annual basis to 14.8 billion dollars in January, says head of Turkish Exporters Assembly İsmail Gülle.

MERGING the high standards competence in the field of surgery centers in the field of health and of accommodation and staff and with high-level accommodation, The average price the continuity of their studies are globally recognized FDA and CE cultural and historical values of a nose surgery the guarantee that this number approved devices with the success also carries Türkiye’s potential will increase even more. On the of Turkish physicians, provides among the “leaders”. Successful in the range of other hand, a large part of the R&D the acceleration to continuously applications in this field lead to 2,500 - 3,000 studies carried out to serve the rising health tourism in Türkiye. the exponential increase in the euros in Türkiye, aesthetic sector. Türkiye is among the leaders in number of tourists coming to the while the price The short duration of the aesthetic tourism with these country every year. treatment, small surgical scars, developments. Türkiye reaches to the “world is at 15 thousand no backlog, combined with Tourism sector has started to brand” status with its specialist, euros in Europe, aesthetic practices and cost change by expanding to many hospitals with high standards, and providing advantages, makes Türkiye an different and new areas in recent secure treatment alternatives and attractive location. This attraction years. One of the most striking a wide range of aesthetic options, world-class contributes to the country in field among these branches is placing itself in fifth place in operations, makes terms of tourism as well as foreign aesthetic tourism. Aesthetic Europe and top 10 in the world. Türkiye prominent. currency input. tourism can be summarized The pioneers of this rapid as people preferring another growth seen in Türkiye aesthetic TOURISTIC INFRASTRUCTURE country for aesthetic surgery were private health sector SUPPORTS THE AESTHETIC operations and stay in that investors. Türkiye, upgrading its SURGERY county for some time. private health industry standards Türkiye is showing a remarkable Türkiye attracts patients in technology and innovation rise particularly in aesthetic from many countries in line with the trends in the tourism, offering the opportunity due to Turkish plastic developing world, enabling foreign of four season resort to its visitors. surgeon’s competence patients as much as domestic Türkiye‘s unique geographic in different fields. Many patients to receive services from location, appeals 1 billion people tourists from western the country. from 57 countries at a four- and eastern countries, 61 of 2000 hospitals in Türkiye hour flight distance. High-tech choose Türkiye as are accredited by the International hospitals with specialist staff, the address of the Joint Commission. This figure qualified human resources and physical beauty and constitutes 21 percent of the up to 60 percent price advantage innovation. The number of hospitals accredited by compared to Europe causing combination of the the commission in 58 countries. Türkiye to be a shining star in country’s global Continuously increasing R&D the medical tourism. Medical JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 37 Health

packages, in which health services are combined with holiday programs; visitors receive health care in both the international standards and ensures they benefit from Türkiye’s unique natural beauty. Türkiye hosts 350 thousand people every year as a part of health tourism. One of the main topics that brings Türkiye to the forefront is affordable prices besides the quality service. The average price of a nose surgery is 15 thousand euros in Europe, while the price range is 2,500 - 3,000 euros in Türkiye. Tourists wishing to undergo cosmetic surgeries prefer Türkiye, due to affordable prices and different holiday alternatives. According to the latest research published by the International Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons; Türkiye ranks among the top five countries in Europe in the most performed aesthetic procedures. Rhinoplasty surgeries performed by Turkish aestheticists make up 9.4 percent WHICH COUNTRY that Istanbul had a great weight of these aesthetic procedures. COMES FOR WHAT? in health tourism, Russians and Türkiye is experiencing significant Türkiye, becoming According to the data provided by Romanians preferred Antalya growth every year in the number health tourism platform FlyMedi, in July and August for breast of patients coming for aesthetic the health hub for Arabs visit Türkiye for hair augmentation operations. surgeries, especially from the Middle East in the transplants, Ducth for knee and Middle East and Europe for recent years, aims eye problems, the British prefer to 1 BILLION DOLLARS FROM rhinoplasty surgeries. Turkish become thin. HAIR TRANSPLANTATION surgeons’ competence in breast to attract 2 million According to the FlyMedi DEIK Health augmentation, rhinoplasty, patients and is database most of the health Commissioner gynecomastia (breast enlargement targeting revenue tourism is for hair transplantation, Dr. Servet Terziler in males) and many different aesthetic surgery and liposuction. said that Türkiye’s aesthetic branches, attracts of 20 billion Arab men visit for hair and revenue of health the attention of the people in dollars in 2023. beard transplantation, while tourism was 1.8 foreign countries and aesthetic Arab women come for buttock billion dollars tourism is growing with each day. surgeries in February and in 2019, approximately 1 billion Many tourists prefer to undergo June. Germans get dental and dollars of which coming from the plastic surgery, especially slimming treatments, the Dutch hair transplantation and pointed in Türkiye. According to the for LASIK eye treatment and knee out that the biggest share after information provided by Emin replacement. hair transplantation belongs to Çakmak, the President of the Another detail that attracted aesthetic tourism. Health Tourism Development attention in the research was that, Indicating that the last fashion Council; Türkiye ranks third after besides the fact for aesthetics is the Brazilian medical tourism in the United buttocks, Terziler said that tourists States and Germany. 32 percent came from European countries and of the tourists who prefer Türkiye that the demand from Sweden, for health tourism are from Russia Norway and Denmark is high. and Turkic Republics. 19 percent After the nose and chest aesthetics comes to Türkiye for aesthetic buttocks aesthetic surgeries was treatments, especially from the the most operated surgeries in Middle East. The remaining 49 Türkiye said Terziler and added percent comes to Türkiye for more that, countries such as Bulgaria than 60 treatments, including and Romania, prefers Türkiye for that of females. Türkiye, becoming aesthetic operations. the healt hub for Middle East in Türkiye Medical Tourism the recent years, aims to attract 2 Development Council Founding million patients and is targeting Chairman Emin Cakmak revenue of 20 billion dollars in announced that, the number of 2023. people visiting Türkiye has reached

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1 million 87 thousand for health work with care. They all know at tourism in 2019 and 1 million 250 least one foreign language and are said thousand people is the target constantly updating themselves. Türkiye is for 2020. The standart of our hospitals, our hotels and our excellent among the Turkish Society transportation facilities, are high.” of Plastic Pointing out to the reasonable most visited Reconstructive pricing of surgery in Türkiye 3 countries in and Aesthetic Özgür said, “the price of surgeries Surgeons in our country remains quite health tourism Assosication affordable compared to the world (TPRECD) Chairman Prof. Dr. in general. It is also clear that Sühan Ayhan they can have a short holiday in “TÜRKİYE PROVED ITSELF IN our beautiful country within the PLASTIC SURGERY” time and financial budgets they Turkish Society of Plastic allocate for the operation. Türkiye, Reconstructive and Aesthetic which can provide beauty in every Surgeons Assosication (TPRECD) season, one of the world’s most Chairman Prof. Dr. Sühan popular countries in historical, 50 Ayhan says that, Turkish plastic cultural, architectural, natural surgeons have proved themselves sense. Especially the price paid internationally. Ayhan emphasized by people for hard works such billion the point reached by Türkiye’s as hair transplantation remains plastic surgeries and said, “We are very low. I think all this makes the at a very high point in the world country popular aesthetic surgery Dollars with both scientific research and in Türkiye. clinical applications in plastic Total surgery.” “TÜRKİYE DISSOCIATES IN investment Ayhan also mentions the THE COMPETITION WITH mobility towards Türkiye, “Türkiye GEOSTRATEGIC IMPORTANCE” for health positions in plastic surgeries is Özgür says also important in terms of health that Türkiyes Technologies tourism. There is a serious patient competitors in and hospitals flow towards Türkiye from abroad, plastic surgery especially in Eastern Europe, the are the US and in Türkiye Middle East countries and the Brazil and added, Turkic Republics”, and added that “Türkiye is geographical meeting Türkiye is a brand in areas such as center of Europe, Asia and of the rhinoplasty. African continent. It connects the Hacettepe University Faculty east and the west, as well as on the of Medicine, Head of the Plastic transportation routes connecting Türkiye Reconstructive and Aesthetic the north and the south. Plus, Surgery Department. Dr. Fatma Turkish Airlines has a wide range ranks 5th Figen Özgür: “Türkiye is in a Very of transportation. Türkiye has Good Place in Aesthetic Surgery advantages as a destination for in aesthetic Education aesthetic purposes or leisure trips.” surgeries in Özgür said that, the number The habit of following global of surgeons in Türkiye, who have technological developments closely Europe. been educated well, is increasing and bring them to life quickly of and that they are combining their Turkish people is also valid for education with technology, global the medical world says Özgür. trends and developments to keep She added that “Our experts keep themselves up to date, making tab on almost every innovation Türkiye a center of attraction. and applies them to their fields. Özgür pointed out that plastics, As to the question of where these reconstructive and aesthetic developments take us; we can say surgery education is quite good that it has to move from being a 100 and Turkish Plastic, Reconstructive practitioner to a point of being The Number of and Aesthetic Surgery Association creative. It is pleasing to see that keeps a a close watch on internal R&D works, which we did not tourists from audit and continues: “To educate care much about before, have our expertise students better, accelerated greatly. I hope we will Israel coming we provide assistant training start collecting their fruits soon.” to Türkiye for programs and courses. All of Expressing that today’s the aesthetic initiatives such as technology allows people to hair transplant surgery performed in the world examine their bodies in more can be made in Türkiye, we have detail than they see in the our doctors and trainees who mirror and that doctors can get

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Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and numerous Arab countries prefers Türkiye for their aesthetics operations” said Akbaş.

HAYATi AKBAŞ REPRESENTS TÜRKIYE ABROAD Akbaş stated that, FBM Aesthetic Clinic Türkiye in Azerbaijan and and European countries operates for 15 years and added, “We represent Türkiye in both these regions in the plastic surgery profession and we are draws great interest. Türkiye is now a brand, they know our level of development in the sense of professional plastic surgery. People come from abroad to Türkiye for both aesthetic operations and touristic trips.”

FOUNDER OF THE BRITISH AESTHETIC AKİF ÖZGÜLLER Founder of the British Aesthetic Akif Özgüller says that, Turkish physicians, especially in the field an idea of how their results will is accepted by the whole world, of medical aesthetics, are well be without surgery, thanks to he says, “Today, nearly 2,000 developed and making Türkiye simulation software, Özgür said, plastic surgery specialists work an important destination of “The minimally invasive surgeries in our country, some of them aesthetics tourism in the world. that increase, naturally increase are performing their professions “Türkiye is one of the most the demand for aesthetic surgery. abroad,” and pointed out that successful countries in the world Considering all these, I think that Turkish surgeons have received especially in the hair plantation the number of people coming with great attention abroad. and the patients are pleased with aesthetic demand will increase “Türkiye is reputable in both the results and sharing their gradually. On the other hand, I publication of scientific papers satisfaction with their social worry that everyone will become and plastic surgery practices, new environment, therefore attracting more and more similar as a natural methods and techniques in the more aesthetic tourists to Türkiye” result of patient demands in facial sense of the inclusion inside of said Özgüller. aesthetics. In the end, I am not sure innovative developments. Türkiye Özgüller stated that Türkiye if the people who will come the day is well known in the fields of uses the same technology as the will say ‘difference is beauty’.” rhinoplasty, rejuvenation, breast developed countries and added, surgery, liposuction, tummy tuck, “Medical tourists who prefer Aesthetic, legs and arms aesthetics and Türkiye for aesthetic tourism are Plastic and hair transplants and patients extending their stay in the country Reconstructive from the US, Europe, Azerbaijan, and contribute to the tourism.” Surgeon Assoc. Dr. Hayati Akbaş “OUR SURGEONS ALSO Price Comparison ATTRACT ATTENTION Hair Transplant Price in Türkiye 1.300-1.900 Euro Price in UK4.500-8.000 Sterlin. ABROAD” Founder of FBM Aesthetic Rhinoplasty Price in Türkiye 2.100-3.500 Euro Price in US 8.500-12.000 Dolar. Clinic Aesthetic, Plastic and Liposuction Price in Türkiye 1.700-3.800 Euro Price in UK 6.700-16.000 Sterlin. Reconstructive Surgery Assoc. LASIK Eye Surgery Price in Türkiye 1.100-1.900 Euro Price in Netherlands 2.800-4.500 Euro. Dr. Hayati Akbaş underlines that Türkiye is more advanced than Breast Implant Price in Türkiye 2.300-3.400 Euro Price in Romania 5.200-7.800 Euro. Europe in the aesthetic surgeries. Tooth Implant Price in Türkiye 450-800 Euro Price in Germany 1.600-2.800 Euro. Stating that this development

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TÜRKİYE’S CITY HOSPITALS (2017-2020)

1,085 Surgery Rooms

30,607 Total bed capacity 19,354 Rooms

7,803 Polyclinics City hospitals that have been launched across 5,189 12 11 cities (22 projected) Intensive care units

TURKISH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (as of June 2020) 1,100,000 1,518 Employees Hospitals

166,000 Doctors 100,000 240,000+ Single patient rooms Hospital beds 32,000 40,000 Healthcare 14% professionals to be Intensive CAGR in heathcare employed as part of the care units expenditures during stimulus package. the past 6 years.

Source: T.C. Presidential Investment Office

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Türkiye will have a say in siber security The field of cybersecurity became Türkiye’s one of the most important target markets for the last two years. Türkiye continues its efforts to develop the domestic cybersecurity ecosystem within the framework of Cybersecurity Cluster which engenders all sectors. Türkiye aims to have a say in the world market which is expected to reach 240 billion USD by the year 2023, by increasing the number of local and national products.

CYBERSECURITY is becoming international strategic issue. On the other hand, cyber more important every day, since The numbers are surprising. attacks against Türkiye are data has become nowadays In average there are over 100 increasing every year. While the kind of an equivalent to a war thousand cyber attacks per week. cyber attack number against weapon. Every time a new system Especially the ransom software Türkiye wasn’t even 9 thousand is digitized it brings new and threat has been growing up in in 2016, it has been reported serious security risks with itself. last years. It was a compelling 72 thousand 975 attacks in Especially during the corona virus issue for corporations in 2019 2016 and 136 thousand 411 in pandemic the data protection and it is expected to continue its 2019. According to the research became even more important effect in 2020. The cyber attacks company IntelProbe’s “2019 and difficult, since it involved the are realized in light speed. A Annual Cyber Threat Report”, usage of many electronic devices. damage of a couple of trillion USD Türkiye ranked fourth among While threatening individuals and is expected worldwide in 2021 cyber attack targeted countries corporates, data security started and countries will face national in the world in 2019. The report to rise up among countries as an security risks. states that USA, Netherlands and 42 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

Türkiye will have a say in siber security Germany were respectively the governmental institutions/ above 240 billion USD by 2023. first three countries exposed to establishments, representatives Within the framework of web based cyber attacks. While of the private sector and the Cybersecurity Cluster, Türkiye is Türkiye gears up its cybersecurity academia. This flexible construct organizing workshops, internship investments, it becomes also more enables constant knowledge programs, cybersecurity camps competent in the field. sharing and close relations which in order to meet the needs of in turn results in preventing qualified man power. The platform 240 BILLION USD IN 2023 possible bureaucratic drawbacks. aims also to increase the capacity Turkish Cybersecurity Cluster The cluster continues its efforts 166 of the sector by organizing was founded directly under the relentlessly for the further entrepreneurship and original hospice of Republic of Türkiye development of the national countries project competitions. Besides Defence Industry Presidency cybersecurity ecosystem. Türkiye’s largest cybersecurity two years ago. This was the The lack of qualified man 150 Turkish conference “Cybersecurity first important step in Türkiye’s power plays an important role cybersecurity Week”, it enables support to cybersecurity mobilization. The in cyber attacks realized lately. reach national and international national platform aims to take According to given data there is a companies markets such as GISEC 2019 Türkiye a step forward among need of 20 thousand cybersecurity exporting to and GITEX 2019. The fourth the world’s leader countries in specialists in Türkiye and 166 countries over “International Cyber Warfare and the field of cybersecurity. It has approximately 3 million in the Security Conference” was realized already reached 150 members world. According to the Gartner 400 services last November and had over 40 and has produced more than research company’s data the participant countries and more 200 products, while exporting to market value of cybersecurity than 2 thousand participants. 166 countries over 400 services. was 114 billion USD in 2018. This On the other hand the Turkish Cybersecurity Cluster amount surpassed 124 billion USD cybersecurity market in Türkiye brings together all related in 2019 and it is expected to be consists of 98% foreign products.

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also the ones working on deep technology based cyber projects. It is expected to be inaugurated next year. The center aims to host 15 entrepreneurs and entrepreneur groups every six month. It also aims to support 30 cybersecurity projects which will target the international market. At the center, entrepreneurs and entrepreneur groups will benefit of office facilities, on-line/ off-line workshops, mentorship, laboratory, clean room structure and technical advices free of charge or for very affordable prices. Successful examples of the incubation center are to be found in countries such as Israel, United Kingdom, Singapore and Estonia etc.

THE DATA WILL REMAIN IN TÜRKIYE Türkiye will do everything necessary to keep the data within the country bounderies within the process. The President of the Republic Recep Tayyip Erdoğan mentions it in his speeches The cluster supports the asset which can’t be left to the constantly. In a speech Erdoğan cybersecurity needs with national end users’ hands, a cyber hygiene did on cybersecurity he said: “We and international solutions. The construct will be also organized won’t buy any product, software, Turkish Cybersecurity Cluster within the Turkish Cyber Cluster. system which can be designed, carries out its work in order to “We need to ensure the security produced, developed in our make the Turkish entrepreneurs of our corporations regarding country from abroad; unless we global players. Since 2018 within cyber issue. It is not appropriate become helpless. We will spend 135 education program carried to say them ‘Do it no matter how’, more time if necessary and even out at 25 universities in 12 cities since it is very complicated and more money if necessary, but we around Türkiye, more than 3 therefore difficult. Nevertheless will absolutely develop our own thousand 500 students were we think that to have a construct designs, products, systems.” trained in cybersecurity. constituted of safe and specialized At the inauguration of the experts is a very important Computer Emergency Team of THERE IS AN UMBRELLA project. They can on one hand Türkiye (trCERT) last month the ESTABLISHMENT AT THE TOP supervise on the other hand President Erdoğan emphasized In addition to the cluster, which The Ministry of provide solutions to our firms. that: “Providing data security ensured a safe environment Trade has taken With this perspective in our minds with foreign technologies would by bringing together different we need to establish a certain be equivalent of handing over sectors, Turkish Republic Digital action to create technical capacity within the country border security to foreign Transformation Office has a ‘buffer zone’ cluster. This in turn will support, military forces” and underlined been established as well. The that will allow the test, propose adequate national that investments in this field will cybersecurity strategy and the delivery of goods products according to the need speed up. vision of the office has been and also submit national products trCERT is seen as the “Syber attached to the Ministry of without crossing to various tests in order to say to Security Base of the Republic Defense. This enabled the two the border, the firms that they are qualified and it is the indicator for the institutions to be embedded after taking to serve their needs. We need to importance Türkiye attaches within each other. Furthermore be sure that the product even if to cybersecurity. While Türkiye steps has been taken in cyber the opinions of it is an international one, is safe. speeded up its activities in hygiene in order to prevent cyber exporters and Therefore we are very sensitive cybersecurity in 2020, trCERT was threats. Studies regarding the carriers. regarding this construct” said the put into practice. The Information tests and certifications of national President of Defense Industry and Communication Technologies products are being carried out. İsmail Demir. Authority (ICTA) was responsible Both governmental institutions Meanwhile the first to actualize the project. One of and private corporations in Cybersecurity Incubation Center the main missions of trCERT is Türkiye are increasing their is still being built at Technopark to detect threats which might investments in cybersecurity Istanbul. The incubation center emerge on the net and to take the day by day. Nevertheless since will host entrepreneurs active necessary measures to eliminate cybersecurity is an important in the field of cybersecurity and them. 44 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81

Outlook

Famous Investors on Türkiye: A COUNTRY WITH OPPORTUNITIES Assessing the effects of Covid-19 outbreak on the global trading and the economy, famous investors think highly of Türkiye’s chances after the outbreak. Mark Mobius states that Türkiye is a global trade center and they would continue to invest in Türkiye. Marc Faber, investment opportunities in emerging markets that also draws attention to Türkiye's found. Jim Rogers says, "Türkiye is in my contemplate list.”

ALTHOUGH STEPS are being in the first quarter of 2020 and taken towards normalization for the first time in its history throughout the world, especially announced that they do not in European countries, forecast growth for this year. expectations for the global The EU economy, which shrank economy are not very positive. by 3.8 percent in the first quarter Even though the opening of the of the year, has a high expectation borders of countries as of May and for a recession in 2020. President the fact that planes have taken of the European Central Bank off for some countries as of June, (ECB) Christine Lagarde, says the growth results of the world's that production in the Euro Area largest economies for the first will likely decrease by 8.0 to 12 quarter signalled that the second percent, and forecasts for a more half of 2020 will be though. moderate scenario is no longer Economist Nouriel Roubin, on the agenda. Data showing a thinks that an unprecedented contraction of 2.2 percent in the economic recession has started first quarter in Germany’ economy and that we are facing a global and that economists stated that depression that will last at least there would be a sharper decrease for 10 years. The future recovery in the second quarter confirms will either be “U” or an even worse Lagarde. scenario “L”. TÜRKİYE'S ECONOMY GREW GLOBAL ECONOMIES IN THE FIRST QUARTER ARE SHRINKING While the world's largest Following the 11-year record economies contract, Türkiye has expansion period, the US economy managed to grow by 4.5 percent shrank 4.8 percent year-on-year in in the first quarter. Economist the first quarter of 2020, but the Prof. Dr. Kerem Alkin says that , sharp contraction in the economy Türkiye’s first quarter growth rate is expected to be in the second is positive, considering that the quarter. For the US economy, leading economies seen a negative Bloomberg Economics foresees growth in the first quarter makes a recession of 37 percent while Türkiye advantageous in 2020 Unicredit foresses a decrease of 65 growth performace. percent. Prof. Dr. Alkin, emphasises that World's second largest Türkiye has grew 4.5 percent economy China is also not that in the first quarter while China different,. China, which has grown contracted 6.83 percent, Japan above 7.0 percent in the last 30 contracted 7.1 percent, France years, has shrunk by 6.6 percent contracted 5.37 percent, Italy

46 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective 4.5% Türkiye has managed to grow by MARK MOBIUS Türkiye trades with all over the globe and 4.5 percent in the first quarter. is a global trade center. In this respect, Türkiye’s economy will recover faster.

contracted 4.81 percent, Spain caused by customs duties in contracted 4.1 percent, Eurozone China and rising costs in the contracted 3.3 percent and country. Türkiye can be a part of Mexico contracted 1.92. the solution at this point. On the other hand, with the epidemic, TÜRKİYE'S PERFORMANCE a market especially for medical ALSO DREW ATTENTION OF equipment occured. Türkiye can FOREIGN ECONOMISTS replace China in this market.” World famous investment guru JIM ROGERS Mark Mobius evaluated the JIM ROGERS: TÜRKIYE IS Production started to shift from China to impact of the Covid-19 on global IN MY CONTEMPLATE LIST other countries. Türkiye is one of those economy and Türkiye and said, American investor Jim Rogers, countries. It can substitute China in the "Türkiye is a global trading who is known as an investment medical equipment market. country. After this process, guru in international markets, recovery will begin. ” Mobius said in his evaluation to thinks that the worst part of Bloomberg HT; said everything the spread of the epidemic will be all right in a year in has been overcame and made Türkiye and added, "There the following assessment: are serious problems in "Türkiye will also begin to countries such as Venezuela recover thereafter. Türkiye is a and Argentina, but Türkiye worldwide trading center, the is in my contemplate list.” world is doing business with Rogers previously evaluated anywhere, it is important not to US sanctions on türkiye as in MARC FABER forget the economy. Yes, there 'madness' and said, "Smart I think that the emerging markets, that are problems with balance of people are buying currently the includes Türkiye, can rise quickly. payments and Turkish Lira, but Turkish assets. If I were to invest these can be dealt with. Turkish in Türkiye I would buy assets.” people are very hard working. I believe that thanks to the right MARC FABER: THERE approach of investors and the ARE INVESTMENT public, these problems will be OPPORTUNITIES IN TÜRKIYE overcame and the country will FOR INVESTORS recover.” Investor Marc Faber, also known as Dr. Doom, also said that “MAY BE ONE OF the dollar will lose its power THE MOST IMPORTANT over the long term because of SUPPLIERS OF EUROPE” US monetary policy, and said Emphasizing that the that there are investment depreciation in lira can be opportunities in emerging turned into an opportunity markets. Faber said that the for export, Mark Mobius said, future of emerging markets, “Turkish lira is very cheap including Türkiye, which at low against the dollar and other levels can rise again quickly in currencies. Thus, Türkiye could the coming periods and added, increase its exports to Europe "There were more sales than and other countries. On the necessary since March in the other hand, production started markets. There is an opportunity to shift from China to other for investors to win in the countries. Türkiye is one of those developing markets for the countries. Some companies next 2-3 months. This includes experience supply difficulties Türkiye.”

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 47 Textile Türkiye, has increased its importance of mask supply Türkiye, being among the top three textile and apparel supplier of the European Union, renewed confidence in pandemic to meet the needs of many countries with by increasing mask production process and exports of non-woven fabric.

AFTER the coronavirus incidents mask and protective clothing that began to appear in the city of support to various countries, Wuhan, China, in December 2019, especially the USA. Türkiye mask supply was on the global Exporters Assembly (TİM) has agenda. Disposable surgical masks supported the government with used to prevent transmission a campaing they have launched of the disease have become an under the leadership of industry important need in the industry. associations. TİM Chairman Türkiye, being among the İsmail Gülle announced that 1 the most important suppliers of million masks produced in the global textile and apparel sector, first step were donated to the has shown a quick reflex on Ministry of Health and announced pandemic period by directing the that their support will continue manufacture capacity to health by increasing the production related clothing and face masks capacity. In the first stage, with the and supplied the world. Türkiye has participation of 100 companies increased its production capacity of in the campaign, 1 million masks 150 milion surgical and dust masks were produced per day. With annually until 2020, due to meet new companies, the capacity has the large demand from China. As increased to 40 million monthly in Covid-19, which is declared as an a short time. epidemic and is spreading rapidly in Europe and USA, cases begun in MASKS AND PROTECTIVE Türkiye a number of regulations CLOTHING EXPORTS HAVE concerning mask production and SKYROCKETED its exports implemented. Türkiye's Mustafa Gültepe, Chairman government took some measures of İstanbul Apparel Exporters’ to prevent the sale and export Association (IHKIB) said that there of substandart products at high is a very intense demand for mask prices. The export of the Melt globally, especially European Blown (nonwoven) fabric used countries and added: "We see in the production of masks was Türkiye's masks and protective registered on March 18 and the sale clothing exports have skyrocketed. / export of the mask was banned. Mask and protective clothing Türkiye’s government has decided exports increased by 585 percent to prioritise the health employees between January 1 and May fighting the pandemic on masks 12. Number of firms exporting and protective materials. In disposable masks in Türkiye this context, Türkiye provided has reached 97 381. the number

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of firms exporting protective that companies that produce clothing increased from 55 to 65. the most needed strategical The number of firms exporting products such as masks, INCREASED DEMAND clothes from nonwovens, gloves and protective clothing including preservatives, rose are manufacturing without TURKIYE’S CLOTH MASK from 22 to 57, and the number interruption. Underlining that of firms exporting disposable there is no import dependency NONWOVEN fabrics surgical garments from 51 to 110. for the raw material required grouped as technical Countries like China, Bulgaria and for the mask production, Öksüz textile raw materials; Romania, who want to turn this stated that all opportunities are is Türkiye’s most demand, which seems to continue mobilized for the companies' Turkish ready- important product group in the medium and long term, easy access to the raw material. made clothing of technical textiles into an opportunity, are preparing Öksüz said that the sector has exports. 34.2 percent of to establish mask factories. a production capacity of 40 sector exported 535 Türkiye’s total technical However, there is a very strong million masks per month and million dollars of textile export volume infrastructure in Türkiye that stated that the capacity of the protective clothing of 1 billion 724 million is production-ready . Using this nonwoven fabric is quite high dollars as obtained from potential, we want to start selling Türkiye, the needs of domestic and masks to the nonwoven fabrics in before the competitors enter market can be met with 10 world in the first 2019. Türkiye’s nonwoven the market." The power behind percent of this capacity and half of 2020. fabric exports in the Türkiye’s flexibility was that the the remaining 90 percent can same period rose to of the nonwoven fabrics produced be exported. “In the reports we 590 million dollars in the in Türkiye. The fabric which can prepared, we have stated that we same period. Türkiye’s be made into a mask from 1 gram will reach 650 million reusable Türkiye's total technical can be produced around 600 mask production capacity textile exports in May tonnes per month in Türkiye. per month, even using only 5 reached 877 million 901 percent of our capacity in this THERE IS AN EXPORT field. We can create an export MARKET OF OVER potential of over 5 billion dollars 5 BILLION DOLLARS by exporting only part of our Istanbul Textile and Apparel medical textile products such as Exporter Associations medical masks, reusable masks, Chairman Ahmet Öksüz said gowns," Öksüz says.

TÜRKİYE, RICH in NONWOVEN thousand dollars in 2020 as the world is strugling TÜRKIYE has an important wealth in the nonwoven fabric with the Covid-19. In this capacity. Nonwoven fabrics produced especially in Gaziantep, process, the share of Kahramanmaraş and Istanbul became a difficult raw material to nonwoven fabrics from find in the world during the epidemic period. Even the biggest total technical textile mask manufacturer China was willing to supply the nonwoven exports increased to 32.1 fabrics from Türkiye. Türkiye have sent aid to many countries of percent, while the export the world. Health care equipment produced in Türkiye such as value reached 282 million masks and protective clothing are delivered to many countries dollars. It is noteworthy such as Germany, England, Spain, Italy, Northern Macedonia, that the export volume Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. of nonwoven fabric increased by 4.5 The usage area of nonwoven ma ny products used in percent compared to fabric is quite wide the health sector and the previous year. The Nonwoven fabrics are children. All of the diapers most important top 10 actually used in many are made of nonwoven countries that Türkiye areas that are important for fabrics. In addition to exports technical textiles human life for many years. these products we in the first five months Wet wipes and cosmetic frequently use nonwoven of 2020 are Germany, wipes that are consumed fabrics in our daily life. It USA, UK, Italy, Romania, almost daily, packaging is also frequently used in Spain, Netherlands, materials such as tea the fields of home and Poland, France and bags, multi-purpose and furniture, apparel, industry, China respectively. disposable cloths such as construction, agriculture Among these countries, water absorbent wipes, and garden, automotive, China attracts attention shoe or clothing storage geotextile, defense industry, with an increase of 330 bags, tents, vacuum cleaner hygiene, packaging and percent compared to the filters, book binders, medicine. previous year.

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 49 Start-Up

Profelis Managing Partner Türker Gülüm We provide cost-effective solutions for corporations” Profelis provides training and consultancy services to many institutions and organizations. It has international experience in issues such as the establishment of information security systems, incident response and disaster recovery center design. We talked with Profelis Managing-Partner Türker Gülüm how they provide innovative solutions for companies.

First of all, could you tell us consultant company in the sector. a next generation real time about Profelis? What kind of We provide consultancy, indoor location services product companies do you offer your training and implementation which includes both software services to in Türkiye and services to many of our customers, and hardware development abroad? from public organizations to components. Similar to these Profelis was founded in Ankara in private sector. projects,. Equity and technical 2007, mainly aiming to provide Currently, we continue our partnerships are quite possible innovative solutions by using Thanks to activities with our excitement in these ventures. Profelis can open source technologies. In just like on the first day with our play the role of General Partner start-up days our approach was pandemic, the offices in Ankara, Istanbul and or Limited Partner in these to provide economic advantages increase in Sofia. structures. Through its branches by introducing open source e-commerce and partnerships in EU, Profelis software to our customers. What does Profelis promise has the capability to reach However, in time, we have shown seems to be a for new investors and out to EU funds and investors that the issue is not only cost good opportunity entrepreneurs today in throughout Europe. advantages, but also that open for the IT the days of accelerated Especially with the pressure source software products offer digitalization? placed on by Covid-19, there are privileges in terms of efficiency, industry that Although Profelis has laid down small scale IT companies under performance and security. In offers software, it’s foundation on open source financial distress in Türkiye and parallel with the widespread use hardware and technologies, training and Eastern Europe. Also some of of free and open source software services. consultancy services, the growth these companies can be seen in the world, it started to draw the strategy has always been based on as investment opportunities attention of the organizations in new product development. In this for us. The newly established Türkiye around the same time. respect we have recently launched corporate finance team at Profelis Naturally, during this period, we our newly developed SambaBox is constantly looking for such have the opportunity to show our product which is a directory investment opportunities. If an competence. It was important for service based on open source outstanding opportunity to invest us to be a dynamic, fast-learning project Samba4. in such distressed entities arises, team. In a short period of time our We have also placed significant we will reach out to potential team made our brand a trusted amount of effort on developing investors and/or technical 50 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

time, time-oriented issues will become much more relevant than the current topics. The precision of when the data was produced by each IoT device or sensor will be much more important. Also, it is not surprising that the fastest developments occur in the health sector. As a result, we will encounter the concept of Internet- of-Human alongside IoTs.

COVID-19 made global digitalization spread to the lowest level, but as a negative reflection of this, information security problem emerged. What disadvantages does this have for companies whose digital infrastructure is not sufficient yet and is in development? In fact, haven't we been preparing ourselves for disasters for years? Didn't we try to build earthquake resistant buildings in the right places? Didn't we use UPS and generators to keep systems up in case of power failures? Didn't we partners to cooperate in investing change accordingly. In our age, “In this pandemic period, prepare backup servers, replica in such assets. the most important product is we have successfully databases, business continuity There are significant “information”. Unless you produce completed one of the centers and systems in case of advantages given to foreign information, you cannot get rid of largest open source hardware failures? Haven’t we investors who would prefer to being the consumer of all products migration projects even use robots to reduce the invest in Turkish assets through and services without an exception. carried out in Türkiye.” commitment to actual manpower Private Equity Investment Funds Today, we benefit from IT in manufacturing? Didn't all of (PEIF). When investing in assets capabilities, with or without these actions aim to prepare us for in Türkiye including spin offs by being aware of every aspect of disasters? Profelis, PEIF provides certain life. We can see, that incomplete Today we encountered a tax advantages and operational or incorrect use of informatics disaster named as Covid-19, benefits to foreign investors. and information technologies can and the past days proved the PEIF’s in Türkiye are regulated yield to the negative consequences importance of IT to us once again. by the Capital Markets Board and on countries, organizations and Those who could not change their provide complete transparency even individuals. Examples production processes or working and regulatory governance of all include data loss, lack of expected conditions in accordance with any transactions. There are special performance despite high costs, disaster, do not mean "traditional", government subsidy programs and even systems that can not but those who produce or serve for venture investments as PEIF’s perform their expected functions. in a way that I can express as which we constantly monitor. In the meantime, with the "stereotypical" were the most We strongly believe that, in the effective use of IT, concepts such negatively affected by this upcoming years governmental as big data analytics, virtual Pandemic. entities and corporations will be reality, Internet of Things, cloud Due to our company structure, in need for further digitalization. computing, quantum computing, culture and method of doing Profelis’s current market artificial intelligence, autonomous business, the pandemic and positioning will enable it to grow vehicles are rapidly entering the Coronavirus had minimal effect further. As explained earlier, service of humanity. on us if not none. As long as the through spin offs and PEIF’s As a result, it is expected infrastructure of our customers Profelis will partner up with that with correct and efficient is operational and accessible, it equity investors if needed. use, IT will provide added value is enough for us just to have the and create a leverage effect on Internet and a computer to do our Informatics and IT became sustainable development. We job. Even in this pandemic period, one of the sectors that showed can say that free and open source we have successfully completed a positive trend despite the software is the revolutionary one of the largest open source negative trend in many sectors. trend that offers the positive migration projects carried out in What do you expect for IT in results of this leverage effect not Türkiye. In addition to the Linux- the future? only to certain groups or specific based GİBUX operating system As production techniques people but for the benefit of all project developed by Profelis change, consumption trends also humanity. Perhaps in 5 years for the Revenue Administration JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 51 Start-Up

Department that we completed in 2019, this time, at the Presidency of Religious Affairs we had successfully completed the transition of their directory service to SambaBOX infrastructure, and again the first phase of the Pardus Migration project was finished together with TÜBİTAK. Thus, as Profelis, we have signed under yet-another-project that enables efficient use of public resources.

Until today, the IT sector was a growing with “hardware” sales. Has this changed after COVID-19? First of all without hardware, the development of the IT sector is out of the question. However, with the pandemic, the consumption trends of the users shifted and the continue to develop vaccines and pandemic period? What does it hardware sales are decreased. Since its establishment, medicines all over the world. promise for the new normal? Since its establishment, The pandemic period has a Can we say that issues such Profelis aims to be an innovative company in Profelis aims to be an innovative litmus paper effect. It helped as e-commerce and e-export, company in order to provide cost- everyone to see clearly how vital which have increased their order to provide cost- effective solutions and effective solutions and to provide the health, logistics, energy and IT intensity with pandemic, are value-added computing services sectors are. a new opportunity for the IT to provide value-added computing services that that will make our customers’ life Even though it is a bit slow sector? easier. In other words, Profelis has now, we are going back to our For years, estimates have been will make our customers’ life easier. not been a company waiting for normal life, While returning, we made that e-commerce will the pandemic period to develop should not ignore the experiences increase. However, real figures innovative technologies. However, we had. always remained below the especially during this period, the The IT sector has also learned predictions. Now, because of a fact that organisations turned to lessons from the pandemic virus that weighs at the level of free and open source software period. First of all, we have seen attogram, e-commerce growth in order to use their budgets that companies that have solid predictions are coming true. effectively strengthened our vertical organisational structures In the meantime, it should position as a domestic consultant and closed to innovation, suffered be noted that the increase in company with our experts. severe damages in this period. e-commerce is not about all Simultaneously SambaBOX, We have seen the importance of areas. For example, it should not which is a local directory service achieving teamwork more clearly, be forgotten that the revenues of developed by Profelis, is preferred even in this exceptional working the companies providing shared by both private and public sector. conditions. We also saw that those vehicle and shared home services Another study started long who do their job correctly and on have decreased. In addition, it is before the Pandemic. Our time, do not necessarily have to necessary to examine in which development phase continues for be in an office. We have also seen areas e-commerce has increased, our project, which enables real- the positive and negative effects of considering that the revenues of time and precise location tracking flexible working hours, especially companies such as hotels, and in closed areas such as buildings. on software developers. The IT airlines have decreased. We will be starting the usage sector will study these lessons well For any reason whatsoever, the tests for the our project towards and will be even more prepared increase in e-commerce seems the end of the year. After this for any future crises. to be a good opportunity for the project, which is also equipped It is expected that the IT industry that offers software, with hardware components, is transition from “not bringing hardware and services. completed, it will be possible home to work” culture to “working to determine the location in an at home” culture will lead to social The issue of developing indoor area with an accuracy of and individual problems. In order domestic technology in the 10-12 cm and to monitor body to overcome these problems, fight against COVID-19 saw temperature in real time. Example a new working environment a great attention. First of all, of use cases can be hospitals or is needed to be created. In the what kind of studies schools, as well as monitoring new normal, it will be critical did you do? of people or devices that are in to provide infrastructures Many different areas are motion in all kinds of large indoor and services that will provide struggling with Coronavirus. areas. interoperability and collaboration While the production of masks, tools. Also the importance of disinfectants and respirators Finally, where does the IT cloud computing and information continues, many researchers sector stand for the post- security will increase. 52 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 53 Travel

Black Sea Highlands Will Invigorate You Highlands of Black Sea, where the ground meets the sky, where you can touch the clouds, are the greatest locations to meet with nature.

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EVEN THOUGH both locals folk festivals and traditional and foreign tourists tend to rush local dishes. The road into the to Turkish tourist destinations mountains becomes more and for sunbathing and swimming, more beautiful as one approaches Türkiye also offers highlands the Zigana Valley; on it is the resembling the Scottish village of Hamsiköy, famous for Highlands, where you can feel the its rice pudding. Scattered like energizing weather and soak up emeralds throughout the Maçka the myriad tones of green. Highlands are mountains and To experience ultimate freedom lakes with names like Uzungöl, on the tops of the mountains Şolma, Lişer, Lake Sera, Mavura, and to fill your lungs with fresh Kiraz, Lapazan, Çakirgöl, Çatma air while having some fun and Oba, Düzköy, Karadağ, Hidirnebi, learning about traditional Black Kuruçam and Sis Daği. Sea culture, which is completely The route through Torul, different from any other Türkiye Gümüşhane and Yayladere region. leads to the Black Sea’s hidden The Black Sea region has a treasures. Along it, the valley steep, rocky coast with rivers that of the Yağmurdere, reached via cascade through the gorges of the Salmankeş Pass, is the area’s 150-year-old wooden mosques coastal ranges. A few larger rivers, highest point. The town of The Black Sea carved like fine lace out of the those cutting back through the Dumanli on the banks of the region has a wood of the chestnut tree. İkizdere, Pontic Mountains, have tributaries Yanbolu River was once the center steep, rocky coast which gives it name to the valley, that flow in broad, elevated of seven “Rum” (Anatolian Greek) burbles merrily at the confluence basins. Access inland from the villages by the name of Santa. with rivers that of the Köhçer and Cimil rivers. coast is limited to a few narrow Meanwhile the Karagöl Highland cascade through Besides Manle Waterfall and Vane valleys because mountain ridges, in the township of Dereli is known the gorges of the Thermal Springs, this township with elevations of 1,525 to 1,800 for its four tiny mountain lakes. also has a thriving market. Hand- meters in the west and 3,000 to And Melikli “Oba” (a nomadic coastal ranges. woven “keşan” textiles decorated 4,000 meters in the east in Kaçkar campground) and the Kulakkaya with claret-red patterns that the Mountains, form an almost Highland are only 50 kilometers women tie around their heads, unbroken wall separating the from the city center. natural-dyed Turkish towels, thick coast from the interior. The higher Rize is the city for which the woolen socks, country cheeses, slopes facing northwest tend to be Black Sea highlands are known. tea, and wooden lecterns and densely forested. Because of these Starting from the banks of the butter churns are among its most natural conditions, the Black Sea İyidere, it runs through endless popular wares. Besides Anzer coast historically has been isolated corn fields and tea plantations to Highland, famous for its honey, from Anatolia. the valley of the İkizdere. Along other highlands here include The North Anatolian it the town of Güneyce boasts Çamlik, Puşula, Gölyayla, Cimil, Mountains in the north are an interrupted chain of folded highlands that generally parallel the Black Sea coast. In the west, the mountains tend to be low, with elevations rarely exceeding 1,500 meters, but they rise in an easterly direction to heights greater than 3,000 meters south of Rize. Lengthy, trough like valleys and basins characterize the mountains. Rivers flow from the mountains toward the Black Sea. The southern slopes—facing the Anatolian Plateau-are mostly unwooded, but the northern slopes contain dense growths of both deciduous and evergreen trees. The gateway to the Black Sea highlands is Maçka, Trabzon province’s emerald forested township. Bisected by the waters of the Coşandere, which point to the Sumela Monastery, this township offers a surprise at every step, from the highlands themselves with their mysterious medieval monasteries to rousing JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 55 Travel

Çiçekli, Mahura, Yatak, Buzluğan, The people of this region love distinct to four different seasons. Kaban and Vaşa. It’s a good idea to add greens, a member of the There are also hot springs which to make Çamlik Highland, which cabbage family, to their dishes. you can use in all seasons. These offers accommodation, food and It is easy to find since it is a are so famous that many people guide services, your headquarters vegetable grown in abundance on in the Ottoman Era went to this for a tour of the region. The the green highlands. You can taste highland to find cure to their summit known as Ovit, one of black cabbage soup and dolma, a ailments. Türkiye’s two highest mountain special recipe with rolled greens passes at 2,600 meters, is crowned filled with spiced rice. Laz börek Oxygen spring: Elevit Plateau with a glacier lake known as Aygir. is also a special dessert unique to Another plateau in Çamlıhemşin Thousands of people in south the region and similar to baklava. is Elevit. The plateau is located at Rize province welcome spring in The highlands also provide Çat Valley and you can reach after the highlands, from which they opportunities for trekking, passing Fırtına Valley which is slowly take their departure again mountain biking, paragliding, selected by World Wildlife Fund with the arrival of autumn. Going rafting and photo safaris for its (WWF) as among 200 priority up to the highlands in springtime Turkish tea made guests. ecoregion for global conservation. is a tradition going back from leaves that Located at an altitude of 1800 on thousands of years, just how many grow in the Black The Plateau famous for its hot the slopes of Kaçkar Mountain, we don’t know, but whose origins springs, Ayder Elevit Plateau is a serene paradise we can only surmise. Sea region is a Ayder Plateau of Rize with its stream flowing peacefully The area, where there is little must and will Çamlıhemşin province is around among greenery, rich variety of environmental pollution, is surely leave you 1 hour away from the city center. flowers and unique houses. There popular thanks to its proximity wanting more. Located at the 1350 m altitude, are accommodation and camping to the clouds and nature, and is Ayder Plateau leans against Kaçkar alternatives. attractive to tourists as it is on the Mountains. The plateau is located route of the historical Anabasis among lush spruce and beech That misty place in photos: road, a route known for the forests as well as hornbeam, Pokut “March of the Ten Thousand.” chestnut and fir forests ranging Another beautiful destination in from yellow to red. Standing out Çamlıhemşin is Pokut Plateau. WHAT TO EAT DURING with its rich flora and fauna, Located at an altitude of 2032 m, YOUR STAY ON THE BLACK SEA Ayder Plateau is home to beauties Pokut is prominent among Black HIGHLANDS Turkish tea made from leaves that grow in the Black Sea region Pokut Plateau is a must and will surely leave you wanting more. The region’s cuisine is renowned across the country and marked by dishes made with “hamsi” (anchovies), including rice with hamsi, bread with hamsi and you can even find baklava made with hamsi, especially in Trabzon.

“Muhlama,” which can be described as resembling cheese fondue, is a delicious dish made from corn meal, homemade butter and traditional cheese.

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Hıdırnebi Plateau

Anzer Plateau Ayder Plateau

Sis Mountain

Bullfighting in highlands

Hıdırnebi Plateau

Gito Plateau While you are Sea highlands with its misty Plateau will cover you like a there 1250 altitude. You can participate sceneries and unique log houses. blanket! in the Kafkasör Culture and Arts Pokut Plateau wrapped with pine Sis Mountain Plateau is located l Watch Festival held during the first week forests stands out with its rich on the peak of Sis Mountain in of July. You can watch bullfighting biodiversity as well as special Giresun Görele at an altitude of the sun and folklore events called Atabarı architecture. 1950 m. You can enjoy sceneries rise! in this festival Organized by wrapped in misty clouds in this Society for Supporting Bulls and Lie down over the clouds in Gito plateau. If you happen to pass by l Immerse Protecting Plateaus. About 25 minutes from Rize and during July, we recommend you in the night Natural wonder on the peak of 2 hours from Çamlıhemşin, Gito attend to Sis Mountain Festivals. the mountain: Hıdırnebi Plateau Plateau is another highland that sky covered Located in Trabzon will make you feel above clouds. Kümbet; more than a plateau! with stars! Akçaabat, Hıdırnebi Plateau is The deep presence of green and Located in Dereli district and at an altitude 1,600 m and as blue flowing among the clouds about 1 hours away from Giresun l Drink a the closest plateau to the coast. like a white blanket laid under city center, Kümbet Plateau has an delicious You can participate in the rural your feet will thrill you. altitude of 1850. No matter which festivities organized each year at Do not return without tasting season you are in, this is the place tea the end of July at a place called Anzer honey! where you will experience all four overlooking Argalos Meadow located behind Located Rize İkizdere, Anzer seasons together in one day. While highlands! the Hıdırnebi cliffs of the plateau. Plateau has an altitude of 2105 you are in Kümbet Plateau, you m. You can hike at the plateau can also visit the 6.5-kilometer l Listen to Paragliding fun in highlands wrapped in different shades of long and 1.5-meter high Hacı Located 2 hours away from green during summer, and yellow Abdullah Wall at Çıkrıkkapı kemenche, Ordu city center, Perşembe to red in winter months. You can Plateau, built 400 years ago having bagpipes! Plateau offers distinct beauties to also take paragliding tours here. a single gate and which was the the visitors with its meanders and l The world famous Anzer Honey second longest Wall after China’s Dance plateau lake. The camp located at is produced from hundreds of Great Wall. the halay, the altitude of 1,500 m is also very different species of flowers found play the suitable for safari and paragliding. in these highlands. Bullfighting in highlands Located 20 minutes from horon! The mists of Sis Mountain Artvin, Kafkasör Plateau is at JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 57 Do you know?

Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia Watch the hot air balloon filled sky during sunrise in the land of fairy chimneys.

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Sumela Monastery

THE BLACK SEA region’s most spectacular site is the Sumela Monastery, located in the secluded depths of Altindere National Park. Also known as the Monastery of the Black Virgin, Sumela is 55km (34 miles) southeast of Trabzon. It is a towering, seven-storey structure that perches dramatically on a ledge CAPPADOCIA famous for its fairytale the centuries. Fairy chimneys that between heaven and scenery, cave dwellings, remarkable rock seem mysterious and cities and houses earth, halfway up a formations and, of course, the hundreds of worship that extend many meters sheer rock face above of hot air balloons that soar in the sky deep into the earth are all enveloped roaring waters. Legends during sunrise each morning. Cappadocia in an atmosphere that is ethereal and tells that it was built by also has many hiking trails, that takes at unworldly. two monks from Athens least a week to explore all. There are around 500 churches and acting on a visitation of The region of Cappadocia is in chapels in Cappadocia. The variety and the Virgin Mary. The last the middle of a once-active volcanic artistry of their architecture, layout and resident monks were area of central Anatolia. Millions decoration are fascinating and amazing transported, along with of years ago three of its mountains with many of them being decorated with other Greek Ottomans, - Erciyes, Hasandağ and Gulludağ - were painstakingly-painted frescoes. back to Greece in the active volcanoes; this activity persisted Due to its location Cappadocia has population exchange intermittently at least into the Neolithic been a critical and strategic region of 1923. The present period according to the prehistoric throughout the years. Important trade buildings date from paintings. Over many millions of years, routes, including the illustrious Silk Road, the 12th century and volcanoes, wind, rain and ice sculpted traversed it both east and west and north contain many layers of the region which we now know as and south. As a result of this heavy traffic, frescoes; most of those Cappadocia. As the landscape was eroded, the region has been a complex web of still visible date from basalt stones remained and formed historical and cultural influences, a region the 1700s. Although conical structures with some reaching as where different faiths and philosophies shamefully vandalised, high as 45m. have met and influenced one another. Sumela is being The local people referred to With its unique natural features restored and remains these unique rock formations “fairy displaying a harmonious combination of one of the Black Sea’s chimneys” for centuries. If nature was natural and cultural landscape elements, most spectacular the first artist to arrange the decor, it Cappadocia is an enchanting open-air attractions. Getting was Anatolian man who carved the museum and an unparalleled example there is an arduous trek rock and built houses, churches and over of the common cultural heritage of up a 1km long forest 250 underground cities out of it over humanity. path.

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Museums: Memory of Societies

The best places where you can see the details of the culture of a society and witness their historical processes are the museums. The museums, where previous historical artifacts and ruins are exhibited, have now started to show development and change together with the contemporary museum concept.

IT IS POSSIBLE to see significant contemporary to present. museums in the Anatolia, which is an open-air A large part of the thematic museums located museum with its history dating back centuries. in Türkiye are awarded or on the top lists; their Türkiye is home to several significant museums in reputation has gone beyond the borders of the the area of thematic museums. In these museums, country. Let’s take a look at 12 thematic museums that which are visited by many local and foreign people have brought a different dimension and meaning to every year, visitors both have a pleasant time and museology with the pieces exhibited that you will not witness artifacts exhibited in the museum from past encounter in any other museums around the world.

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DOOR TO CHILDHOOD ISTANBUL TOY MUSEUM

ISTANBUL Toy Museum; was toy made only for Charlie Chaplin, founded by the poet and writer the toys made by Hitler from the The Istanbul Sunay Akın, who says that “Toy first toy Pinocchio produced, and Toy Museum museums are civilization history many more priceless toys. The organized the museums”, on 23 April 2005 in museum has been hosting its a five-story mansion in Göztepe. guests from all over the world for European Toy and Toys from auctions, antiquaries 15 years. Children’s Museum and collectors from around the The Toy Museum, which is Association world were brought together a member of the International with a magnificent decoration in Council of Museums (ICOM) since meeting, a first this museum. Each room in the 2009, was nominated for an award in the world in museum is divided into different in the Best Museum of Europe 2012, and brought concepts according to the toys competition in 2010-2011, and the title of “The inside, and designed like a theater won the Capital City of Toys title stage. The museum opens the to Istanbul, hosting the European Capital of Toy doors of a completely different Toy and Children’s Museums Museums” to world to the visitors. Union meeting in 2012. Istanbul. The number of toys that Sunay Akın has collected from more than 40 countries in 20 years and was around 1,000 at the time of the opening of the museum has now reached 4,000. The museum is home to the most special pieces of toys from the 1700’s to the present, toys that you cannot see in any other museums in the world are on display. From Mona Lisa’s first and only porcelain toy made in 1954 to the “The Tramp” FROM A LOCK OF HAIR TO A MUSEUM AVANOS HAIR MUSEUM

CAPPADOCIA, one of the most started with a lock of hair turned fascinating regions of Türkiye, has The Hair Museum, into a museum. Today, it is not one of the world’s most interesting which listed in the known how many lock of hairs are museums. Avanos Hair Museum, Guinness Book of in the museum, which consists of whose reputation has moved Records in 1998, a 500 square meter cave and the beyond these lands and has deeply locks of hair hung on the walls of influenced everyone with its also ranks sixth in the cave, because it has reached story, has always been visited by the list of the 15 an impossible number to count. everyone who has been on the way most interesting The Hair Museum, which listed in to Cappadocia, opened in 1979 museums in the Guinness Book of Records in by pottery master Galip Körükçü. the world made 1998, also ranks sixth in the list of The visitors of the museum can the 15 most interesting museums also find the opportunity to listen by the website in the world made by the website to the museum’s fascinating ABCNews.com. ABCNews.com. and interesting story from Galip Körükçü. It all started with a love story. Körükçü, who continued his pottery as a fifth-generation member of his family in Avanos, met and befriended a French woman who visited Cappadocia in 1979. She stayed in Cappadocia for three months and before she was leaving, Körükçü asked her for a lock of hair as a souvenir. Körükçü hung the lock of hair he bought in the pottery shop. From thereafter, every woman who visited the shop and heard the story, began to leave a lock of hair. Thus, the story that JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 61 Arts & Culture

THE HISTORY OF MARINE HISTORY İSTANBUL NAVAL MUSEUM THE ISTANBUL Maritime Museum, which dates back to 1897, had to be moved many times due to the conditions of the period, is located Beşiktaş district since 1961. The museum, which contains very important works about Turkish maritime history, is among the world’s leading museums in terms of collection content. In the Maritime Museum, which has 20 thousand works in its collection, such as the boats used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Sultan Mehmed IV, the South America map of Piri Reis, navy clothes, Ottoman manuscripts, banners, reign boats, galleys and tughras are on display. One of the most important works exhibited in the museum is the ship that was built in the 17th century and is now the oldest and most important historical vessel in the world. In addition, Istanbul Naval Museum hosts 14 of the reign boats Istanbul Maritime that are used by kings and sultans, Museum is among only 42 of which lived up to this day. the world’s The museum, which is divided into four sections, has historical galleys leading museums in the first section, reign boats in the in terms of second section, boats used by Atatürk collection content. in the third section and infantry boats in the fourth section. WITNESSES OF THE PERIODS KASTAMONU HAT MUSEUM

AFTER the process that began more than 800 hats and this with the Hat and Clothing number continues to increase day Revolution of Mustafa Kemal by day. A wide collection of hats on Atatürk in Kastamonu in 1925, the display at the museum, there are idea of a​​ museum for all the hats hats of Türkiye’s most important that have been used since the day politicians and artists. The the Republic was established and, museum, which is divided into of course, the hats of Atatürk. This sections that displays hats from idea is also in line with Türkiye’s different periods, has a unique first hat Hat Museum, established hat collection from the Huns to in 2007 in Kastamonu where the Republican era. Kastamonu the revolution took place. The Hat Museum gives its visitors the museum, which was launched opportunity to witness different with three hats in a historical periods of history and the sense of stone building, currently displays fashion in those periods. 62 JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 The Turkish Perspective

YEŞİLKÖY AVIATION MUSEUM THE AVIATION Museum, founded in 1963, owned and operated by Turkish Air Force, is officially established after the construction of the museum building was completed in 1988. The museum is built on a total area of ​​65 thousand square meters, of which 2 thousand 365 square meters is closed and 12 thousand square meters is open, in a modern museum understanding. In the open exhibition area of the​​ museum, which consists of two exhibition areas, indoor and outdoor, 10 propeller aircrafts, 25 jet aircrafts and 6 anti-aircraft missiles are exhibited. In the museum, there are uniforms, medals, hat hats, model aircraft collections and badges used by the Turkish Air Force from past to present in the halls divided into eight sections. With the clothes used from the first Ottoman aviator to the present day, visitors witness the change in The only Turkish Aviation History. De Havilland, one of the first aircraft used by Turkish remaining Airlines, and Polish licensed P24-G example of Polish Pezetel Airplanes, are also exhibited licensed P24-G in the Aviation Museum. The Aviation Museum, where the rarest artifacts of Pezetel Airplanes Turkish aviation history are exhibited, is on display at the conveys important information about Aviation Museum. the history of aviation to the visitors. THE PAST AND TODAY OF PUBLISHING PRESS MUSEUM

The Press Museum is one of the few museums of the world in the field THE PRESS Museum, which in history, such as lithography of communication reveals the changes experienced machines, flat printing machine, and distinguishes by the press technology from the rotary letterpress intertype, past to the present, as well as proofing benches, guillotine, old it from its one of the important cultural art typewriters and telexes, provide a counterparts in centers of Istanbul, was opened to nostalgic trip between the special the world in terms visitors in 1988. Press Museum, parts of the press history. Many of the works has a considerable place among of the machines that had been State. A replica of the printing other examples in the world used by Anadolu News Agency, exhibited. house founded by Müteferrika in the field of communication Türkiye’s first official agency, until and the samples printed in this due to the works exhibited. today on display at the museum. printing house, which is of great The museum, where a working One of the important sections in value for the history of the Turkish German Leipzig-made Spies offset the museum is devoted to İbrahim press, are exhibited together. printing machine and printing Müteferrika, who took a very The Press Museum also offers its machines from 1870 were important step for the Turkish visitors an important service with exhibited; The first examples of press history and founded the first its Library and Documentation radiofoto and telephoto devices printing house in the Ottoman Center. JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 63 Arts & Culture

GETTING TO KNOW THE SHAMAN CULTURE TAHTAKUŞLAR ETNOGRAPHY MUSEUM TAHTAKUŞLAR Ethnography Museum was founded by elementary Tahtakuşlar school teacher Ali Kuder as the first Museum is also private ethnography museum in a gallery where Türkiye in 1991. The main goal of the museum is to protect the cultures of handicraft the Turkmen tribes, which are almost and painting sunk into oblivion. The museum exhibitions are exhibits the tools used by Turkmen tribes who migrated from Central Asia held. to Türkiye and legend of Mount Ida, comes to the fore with the artifacts of the culture of shamanism. There are Turkmen clothes, household items, tools, carpets, artworks, manuscripts, objects of faith and a replica tent made of poplar wood was used by the Turkmen until the 1950s exhibited in the Tahtakuşlar Museum. There are objects such as the teeth of the male boar, sorrel seeds, figs, almonds and cloves according to the Turkmen traditions, as well as the belts decorated with seashells collected from the Red Sea. The most interesting part of the museum is the world’s largest sea turtle weighing 360 kilograms. The turtle, whose back is completely leather covered, drowned and moved to the museum for display when it was washed up. FROM THE DEPTH OF THE UNDERWATER TO THIS DAY BODRUM MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGY out underwater are exhibited, has the richest Eastern Mediterranean amphora collection in the world. In the Bodrum Underwater Archeology Museum where you can see all the artifacts from Finike Gelidonya Cape Wreck, Bodrum Yassıada Wreck, Şeytan Deresi Wreck and Tektaş Wrecks, it is also possible to see the Serçe Harbor Glass Wreck, which was revealed to have sunk before the Crusades. Likewise, the model of Uluburun Shipwreck, which was found to be a merchant ship from the ruins found 3300 years ago, is also exhibited in the museum.

LOCATED IN Bodrum Castle, ships to modern ships, takes Türkiye’s only underwater visitors on a journey to the past of archeology museum, Bodrum the underwater. Museum of Underwater The museum, where the Archeology, is one of the world’s artefacts and sea wrecks that revered museum, that houses the emerged as a result of the oldest examples from ancient archaeological excavations carried

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NEAR HISTORY OF THE CLASSIC CAR KEY MUSEUM KEY MUSEUM, which is Türkiye’s largest classic car museum, emerged with collectorship spirit Murat and his brother Selim Özgörkey in Izmir. The museum displays 130 cars, some of which have never been in Türkiye, and 50 motorcycles from late 19th century until this day. Since 2001, the museum worked diligently on cars brought from Türkiye as well as countries around the world. The museum exhibits cars that were launched in the early 1800s that have survived to the present day, motorcycles, mascot and model cars and a car-themed scarf collections. Perhaps the most popular among the cars on display is the Batmobile and Batcycle vehicles of the Batman series. The Key Museum has a wide range with its collection of brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Ford, BMW and Porsche, which shape the car world and decorate the dreams of car lovers. LAST 70 YEARS OF EMPIRE PALACE COLLECTIONS MUSEUM

THE PALACE Collections Museum, which is under the Presidency of the National Palaces Administration, emerged with the idea of ​​ displaying the works in the warehouses of the Dolmabahçe Palace and was opened as a museum in the Matbah-ı Amire building used as the palace kitchen. Approximately 20 thousand objects that were used in the daily life of Ottoman palaces in the 19th century are exhibited in the Palace Collections Museum. Visitors have the opportunity to witness the developments in the palace life from the 19th century palace life with the pieces exhibited in the museum. The collection in the museum, which has been used in important palaces such as Aynalıkavak, Küçüksu, Ihlamur, Maslak Pavilions, Beylerbeyi and Yıldız Palace as well as Dolmabahçe Palace, testifies the last 70 years of the Ottoman Empire. In the museum, princes’ clothes, toys, handicrafts, the sultans used writing sets, seals and inscription materials, examples of writing sets used in the Parliament and the first parliament, silver shaving sets belonging to the sultans, care tools belonging to the sultans, crystal, porcelain and silver dinner sets, manuscripts of the Quran, Hereke carpets, books from the palace library, and oil paintings by Caliph Abdülmecid Efendi are exhibited. JULY 2020 ISSUE 81 65 Figures

Türkiye is only 4 hours away from a wide Türkiye has 56 geography airports YOU CAN ACCESS TO COUNTRIES WITH A POPULATION OF 1.55 BILLION 180 PEOPLE, A GROSS DOMESTIC Ports PRODUCT OF 35.7 TRILLION DOLLARS AND A TRADE VOLUME OF 6.8 TRILLION 19 DOLLARS WITH A FLIGHT OF border gates 4 HOURS FROM TÜRKIYE.

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