Turkey must focus on the ‘digital mindset’

Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank made an announcement that is very important for İzmir.

“The plans for model factory projects in İzmir, Gaziantep, Mersin, Konya and Kayseri are finished and sources of funding have been found,” he said.

What is the plan? Digital transformation centers.

I find this project quite significant for İzmir. I have written about it a few times as well. İzmir should be a city with a digital mindset.

That it is to say, İzmir should have a voice in the transformation of Turkey for the future. That is why it needs enough human resources and an infrastructure that can match with its examples in the world.

Of course, Turkey is a large country and İzmir has many rivals. But we should all admit that İzmir has many advantages. It also has many preparations on the issue as well.

The İzmir Institute of Technology has a technopark, which has been running for years. We have the business incubator centers of many companies here.

Again, significant works are being undertaken at the regional headquarters of companies like Turkcell, Vodafone and Telekom, which prepare digital solutions.

At several universities in İzmir, hundreds of students who will accomplish the digital transformation continue their studies. These are all advantages.

We should also not forget the demographic structure of the city, the recent interest to the city and its climate.

Digitalization has also become prominent in sectorial preferences

The other day, I visited the İzmir Chamber of Commerce President Mahmut Özgener. There was an intense working meeting in the room.

His vice presidents Emre Kızılgüneşler, Cemal Tükel and the chamber’s assembly chair Selami Poyraz were also present.

Sectorial meetings have been organized at the Chamber of Commerce for a while.

Both the current and future agenda are discussed during these meetings.

The advantages of İzmir are discussed in detail and there is an effort for creating clustering in the leading sectors. That is how İzmir should compete; by holding intense debates and brainstorming about the future.

Thanks for supporting the İzmir fair

I would say the fair was great. This is what I understand by the attention it received.

Kültürpark was very crowded, the events were completely followed.

I saw that the companies participating in the fair were happy.

We should not forget the contributions of the two important sponsors and the metropolitan municipality.

Being one of the most important organizations of İzmir, the main sponsor of the fair has been Folkart for three years and the technology sponsor is Vestel.

“We will continue to spend the money we earn from İzmir on İzmir. As always, we will be here next year as well. Each year, by gaining experience with the İzmir Fair, I believe we are doing a great job. Next year, I know we can do even better. I trust my team,” said Mesut Sancak.