Industry and Technology Minister Kacır made significant statements in a special broadcast on TRT News in Adana. In his speeches, Kacır highlighted that there will be 1.6 million participants at the 10th TEKNOFEST this year, along with competitions related to quantum technologies and unmanned aerial vehicles. These competitions are contributing to the national technology movement. He also mentioned that the Bayraktar TB3 and ANKA3 unmanned vehicles will have their first public flights at the event. The minister emphasized the importance of registering online before attending the event, as the registration numbers have already reached close to 700,000. Visitors are advised to arrive early and use the TEKNOFEST shuttle services.
President Erdoğan will also attend the event on Friday, leading the national technology initiative. The minister expressed excitement for the president’s presence, indicating that Turkey will be carried into the “Turkey Century” by the TEKNOFEST generation. He praised the Bayraktar family for making Turkey a global leader in UAVs. On a separate note, Minister Kacır condemned Israel’s actions, accusing them of committing genocide live on TV and attacking Lebanon. He highlighted the importance of technological independence as a prerequisite for political independence, stressing that Turkey’s critical technologies are now mostly domestically produced, unlike 22 years ago when the country was heavily reliant on foreign imports for defense.
Addressing the listeners, Minister Kacır emphasized the significance of the national technology initiative for achieving full independence in critical areas. He mentioned plans to develop new measures for the cyber security of industrial products and prioritize efforts in the cyber security cluster in Turkey. He acknowledged the growing interest of American investors in investing in Turkey, particularly in high-tech sectors. He also announced a major investment by BYD in Turkey, aiming to start production in 2026 with a 150,000 vehicle capacity plant. Discussions with other global brands like Chery are in their final stages, showing strong interest in investing in Turkey.
Referring to the successful launch of Turkey’s indigenous electric vehicle, Togg, with 37,000 cars on the roads within a year and a half, Minister Kacır highlighted the nation’s support for the project. The company is now preparing to launch its second model, the T10F, in the next year. He emphasized the importance of continuing to support domestic and national projects to strengthen the country. Togg’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with over 23,000 public charging connections and 8,800 fast charging stations, makes Turkey a leader in this aspect in Europe. The minister also discussed Turkey’s efforts in the space sector, with plans to develop a national space program and explore opportunities in the trillion-dollar space economy.
In conclusion, Minister Kacır outlined Turkey’s ambitions to become one of the 11 countries capable of building its own satellite and to reach the moon with its own spacecraft. The goal is for Turkey to have independent access to space from its own spaceport using domestically produced rockets. This aligns with Turkey’s vision to innovate and excel in various fields, establishing itself as a leading player in the global arena through its investments in cutting-edge technologies and strategic initiatives.
