EU Permanent Representative Ambassador Kaymakci said, “Our total market value in the information and communication technologies sector is over $30 billion.”
Turkiye’s Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU), Ambassador Faruk Kaymakci, said that the total market value of the information and communication technologies sector in Turkiye is over $30 billion and that around 300 thousand people work in this field, most of whom are under the age of 35.
Kaymakci spoke at the opening of the event at TOBB Brussels Representation, where the main findings of the report titled “Improving Cooperation between Turkiye and the European Union in Information and Communication Technologies” prepared by the Digital Turkiye Platform with KPMG Turkiye were shared.
Reminding that Turkiye has been a candidate country for the EU for a long time, Kaymakci stated that if Turkiye joins the EU, it will be the most useful, most meaningful and most useful member.
Kaymakci said that the EU and Turkiye should understand each other and focus on a common future.
Kaymakci stated that some discrimination that Turkiye faces in the EU has deteriorated relations, and emphasized that the European Political Community cannot be accepted as an alternative to EU membership.
Kaymakci explained that he appreciated the work of the Turkish business community in Brussels and that they played a locomotive role in business connections between Turkiye and the EU.
Kaymakci thanked Turkiye Digital Platform and KPMG Turkiye for organizing the event and said, “I think this is an important meeting to discover what more can be done between the EU and Turkiye in the field of information and communication technologies.”
“Direct investment in the sector in Turkiye is over $20 billion”
Reminding that Europe is on the path of green and digital transformation, Faruk Kaymakci said that Turkiye, as a part of Europe and a candidate for the EU, is moving decisively in this direction and is following the developments closely.
Reminding that Turkiye is a part of the EU’s Horizon Europe Program in the field of R&D and that it has recently participated in the Digital Europe Program, Kaymakci stated that, as a candidate country, it also benefits from some EU funds allocated to the information and communication technologies sector.
Kaymakci pointed out that the Turkiye Investment Platform was recently established with a fund of €2 billion to accelerate Turkiye’s green and digital transformation.
“Our total market value in the information and communication technologies sector is over $30 billion.” Kaymakci emphasized that there are around 300 thousand employees in this field, most of whom are under the age of 35, and that Turkiye has a young, well-educated, well-equipped information and communication technologies power.
Kaymakci stated that Turkiye exports information and communication technology products and that the direct investment in this sector in Turkiye since the beginning of 2020 is over $20 billion.
Explaining that Turkiye is a promising partner in the information and communication technologies sector, Kaymakci said that continuous and structured dialogue with the EU is important to make progress in this field.
“Effective cooperation between Turkiye and the EU in the field of technology and innovation begins with determining strategic priorities.”
Turkish Informatics Foundation (TBV) and Digital Turkiye Platform President Faruk Eczacibasi said, “I think Turkiye’s geographical location, demographic structure and common values are extremely suitable for implementing cooperation with the EU.”
Stating that he is happy that their platform has been a member of the Digital Europe Platform since 2011, Eczacibasi said, “Today, we are excited to share with you an important study aimed at increasing cooperation between Turkiye and the EU in the field of information and communication technologies.”
Eczacibasi explained that in their study, they examined the current situation and goals of Turkiye and the EU in the field of information communication technologies and offered suggestions on how to improve cooperation.
“Effective cooperation between Turkiye and the EU in the field of technology and innovation begins with determining strategic priorities.” Eczacibasi stated that this involves the closer integration of Turkish institutions and individuals with the global community in order to increase knowledge and experience, exchange information and find solutions to global problems.
Pointing out that it is very important to increase cooperation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, Eczacibasi said, “Achieving the targets determined in the information and communication technologies cooperation between the EU and Turkiye will reveal an innovative multi-stakeholder governance model.”
Eczacibasi explained that improving language skills and use of digital tools in Turkiye is of critical importance in terms of maintaining good communication with the EU and other stakeholders and taking advantage of opportunities.
KPMG Turkiye Country President Murat Alsan and Digital Europe Director Cecilia Bonefeld Dahl also spoke at the program, and the work prepared by the Digital Turkiye Platform together with KPMG Turkiye was shared with representatives of various institutions in Brussels.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz