REGIONAL REPORT
Turkey ’ s presence at the Blechexpo 2019 sheet metal exhibition in Stuttgart , Germany .
combined with broader reforms , including steps to underpin CBRT independence and a timely technical review of the monetary policy framework ,” it explained .
Organised Industrial Zones ( OIZs )
A new World Bank-funded project will help Organised Industrial Zones ( OIZs ) in Turkey become more efficient , environmentally sustainable and competitive . The new US $ 300 million Organized Industrial Zones Project for Turkey , to be implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Technology ( MoIT ), will support investments in basic infrastructure - such as new roads , water and gas pipelines , power lines and logistics facilities – as well as in “ green ” infrastructure ( such as improved energy and water efficiency facilities ; advanced wastewater treatment plants ; energy-efficient buildings ; LED street lighting and renewable energy assets including solar , wind and biomass ).
A smaller part of the loan will also be dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of OIZs through investment in innovation and training centres , linking OIZs with science and research organisations , and academia .
Turkey ’ s 346 OIZs , across 81 cities , contribute to more than one-third of the country ’ s exports and employ 2.1 million workers - approximately one third of total industrial employment in the country . Many of these OIZs require upgrades to their infrastructure systems ( roads , water pipelines , stormwater and sewer pipelines , gas and electricity networks ) and improvements in their sustainable use of available resources - especially electricity and water - through investments in “ green ” infrastructure .
“ The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for this project , which is crucial for laying the foundations for a sustained and ‘ green ’ recovery ,” commented Auguste Kouame , World Bank
Sheet metal production at Ford car factory at Izmit , Turkey ( Shutterstock . com ).
According to the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ), the Turkish economy is expected to see continued positive growth in 2021
Country Director for Turkey . “ In addition , innovation centres will enable OIZ firms to maintain or deepen their participation in global value chains post-COVID by increasing the competitiveness of OIZs around the country .”
“ The project addresses key issues in Turkey ’ s industrial sector - which suffers from high carbon content , low female labour-force participation and a need for investment in innovation . This project will benefit OIZs by focusing on the broader decarbonisation agenda and by paying special attention to gender gaps , through the collection of detailed data to address gender aspects of female employment in OIZs and develop suitable solutions - such as the establishment of childcare facilities in select OIZs . Lastly , the improved innovation infrastructure in select OIZs that will be created will have a positive ‘ demonstration effect ’ for the economy overall ,” remarked Stefka Slavova , Lead Economist at the World Bank and co-Task Team Leader for the project .
The project is aligned with Turkey ’ s Country Partnership Framework ( CPF ) for FY18-23 , which focuses on the three strategic areas of growth , inclusion and sustainability , and is a fixed-spread loan with a final maturity of 10.5 years , including a grace period of five years .
New project funding
Other World Bank-funded projects in Turkey include the ‘ Sustainable Cities Project ’ and the ‘ Rapid Support for Micro and Small Enterprises Project ’.
The development objective of the Sustainable Cities Project for Turkey is to improve the planning capacity of , and access to , targeted municipal services in participating municipalities and utilities .
Another new project will help avert the closure of viable micro and small enterprises ( MSEs ) affected by the health and economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain employment levels during the crisis . The US $ 300 million Rapid Support for Micro and Small Enterprises Project for Turkey , implemented by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organisation of Turkey ( KOSGEB ), will help people and firms by providing reimbursable support financing for manufacturing firms and other innovative young firms focusing on manufacturing , scientific research and development , and computer programming .
The project will pay special attention to women-owned firms and is aligned with Turkey ’ s Country Partnership Framework ( CPF ) for FY18-23 , which focuses on the three strategic areas of growth , inclusion and sustainability . n
32 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR March 2021