A technopark, a science park, is a manufacturing site where academic institutions and industrial businesses collaborate on various research, innovations, and cutting-edge products. In technoparks, academics and manufacturers with diverse expertise work together to develop new technologies and boost local economies.
Technoparks in Türkiye: Establishment and Progress
Inventing new technologies and producing high-value products are essential in today’s competitive global market. As a result, technoparks play a significant role in their respective countries’ economic and social development.
In Türkiye, efforts to create a science park first began in 1980. As a result of these intensive efforts, the first technoparks were built at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Middle East Technical University (METU), Ege University, Anadolu University, and TUBITAK MAM Research Center. Afterward, Law no. 4691 on Technology Development Zones dated 6 July 2001 (“Law”) was passed, where technology development zones were defined as follows: “a high tech cluster or a technopark where enterprises that focus on high/advanced technologies or technological innovations invent or improve new technologies or software and turn them into products, methods or services by leveraging the capabilities of a university, a high tech institute, or an R&D center & institute, which integrate academic, economic and social structures in a way to foster the development of the surrounding area.”
The Ministry of Industry and Technology (“Ministry”) latest figures indicate that as of July 2022, Türkiye has 94 technology development zones, with 80 currently in operation and 14 still under construction.
According to the Ministry data, 8,020 businesses operate in these technoparks, with 12,613 ongoing and 47,079 completed projects. These operations have generated sales and exports totaling ₺177.8 billion and US$7.3 billion, respectively. The sectoral breakdown of active technoparks shows that 48.08% are involved in computer programming. The overall number of projects, sales, and exports will likely rise when all planned technoparks have launched operations.
Benefits of Technoparks
To facilitate the exchange of know-how, capital, and labor, technoparks tend to be located where such resources are readily available. As indicated in the Law, technoparks seek the following goals: generating know-how that will help the national industry become globally competitive and export-oriented; inventing new products and production methods; raising product quality or standards; increasing efficiency; reducing production costs; turning know-how into profit; supporting technology-driven production and entrepreneurship; helping small and medium-sized enterprises transition into new and advanced technologies; offering investment opportunities in technology-intensive industries; creating job opportunities for researchers and qualified personnel; facilitating technology transfer; and building the technological infrastructure that will attract foreign capital to finance high/advanced technologies.
Technoparks offer the facilities, and space entrepreneurs and business owners must engage in innovative efforts. If necessary, they can also draw on the expertise of the university staff. Furthermore, they offer entrepreneurs access to funds, foreign partnerships, marketing services, and a space to develop ideas through incubation centers. Technoparks also contribute to their surroundings’ social and cultural development, promote technological and economic progress, and directly influence regional and national development with high-value-added goods and services.
Technoparks emphasize the significance of innovation and R&D activities for maintaining global competitiveness. Countries should offer incentives and exemptions to businesses operating in these zones. In conclusion, technoparks that foster the sharing of expert knowledge via industrial and academic collaborations need to be encouraged to continue working to assist nations in advancing their economies and scientific and technological capabilities.
