Deep Dive: Turkey's Free Zones Aim for 14 Billion Dollars in Exports This Year

Free zones in Turkey, such as those managed by organizations like SEBKİDER, represent a strategic economic tool designed to attract foreign investment and foster export-oriented industries, drawing from Turkey's historical push since the 1980s to integrate into global markets through liberal economic policies. These zones offer incentives like tax breaks and simplified regulations, which align with broader regional dynamics in the Middle East and Europe where countries compete for manufacturing and tech hubs, making Turkey's efforts a response to global supply chain shifts influenced by events like recent trade tensions. The emphasis on technology investments and R&D in these zones could have implications for international trade patterns, potentially increasing Turkey's influence in sectors like electronics and manufacturing, while affecting neighboring economies in the EU and Middle East that rely on similar export strategies.