Ankara Launches Extensive Ramadan Program
Ankara is hosting a wide-ranging program of cultural and educational events at the Presidential Complex throughout the month of Ramadan. The initiative is intended to foster community engagement and spirit during the holy month.
- The Presidential Complex, beyond cultural and religious events, is the hub for launching Turkey's strategic initiatives, including the 2030 Industry and Technology Strategy. This strategy aims to increase the manufacturing sector's share of GDP to 23% and boost manufacturing exports to $400 billion by 2030. - Turkey's sovereign wealth fund, the Türkiye Wealth Fund (TWF), is a key player in the nation's technology investment strategy, notably through the Türkiye Technology Fund (TTF). The TTF was established with an initial US $300 million in partnership with Abu Dhabi's ADQ, with a target of US $1 billion to support venture capital funds and direct investments in Turkish startups. - The government's "National Technology Initiative" is a core policy driving investments in high-tech sectors, with a goal of maximizing technological independence. The 2026 Presidential Annual Program specifically elevates Artificial Intelligence to a central strategic position, emphasizing the development of local AI models and secure data infrastructures to reduce reliance on foreign technology. - Ankara is being developed as a key technology hub, with a significant concentration of activity in the defense industry. This ecosystem of defense tech is fostering advancements in related fields like embedded software and nanotechnology. - To attract foreign investment and talent, Turkey has implemented the "Türkiye Tech Visa" program, offering privileges to technology professionals and startups. This is part of a broader strategy to increase Turkey's share of global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to 1.5%. In 2025, Turkey attracted $13.1 billion in FDI, a 12.2% increase from the previous year. - The Turkish government is actively fostering a startup-friendly environment through various incentives, including tax reductions and R&D subsidies available in designated "techno-parks". The TÜBİTAK BiGG program has been transformed into a pre-seed fund, making 231 investments in 2024. - Macroeconomic stability is a key focus, with the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) having raised the policy interest rate to 50% by March 2024 to control inflation. Projections from the CBRT indicate an expected fall in the inflation rate to 24% by the end of 2025 and 12% in 2026. - The information and communications technology sector has been a significant recipient of foreign investment, attracting $1.308 billion in 2025. The government is also investing heavily in digital infrastructure, with plans to make 5G services publicly available by April 1, 2026, and to increase the capacity of domestic data centers with a $10 billion program.
