The OSTİM Renewable Energy and Environmental Technologies Cluster (OSTİM Enerjik) and the British Embassy organized the UK-Türkiye Cooperation Programme in the Field of Clean Technologies at OSTİM.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Hasan Büyükdede, UK Trade Envoy to Turkey Lord Robin Berry Janvrin, OSTİM Chairman Orhan Aydın, and numerous British and Turkish industrialists.
Yaşar Çelik, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OSTİM ENERJİK, stated that they want to evaluate energy-related business opportunities with partners from the United Kingdom. Çelik expressed that both countries could achieve growth in the clean energy sector through mutual cooperation in areas where they both excel.
Clusters contribute to the local economy
Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Hasan Büyükdede said, "Our goal is to develop successful collaborations between Turkey and Britain. We believe that the two countries, which have significant trade relations, will further develop their relations with much more effective trade initiatives and agreements in the future."
Recalling that the two countries have had significant relations for many years, especially in the defense industry and automotive sector, the Deputy Minister stated, "We believe that the two countries, which have had important trade relations until now, will further develop their relations with much more effective trade initiatives and agreements in the future."
Hasan Büyükdede stated that clusters similar to OSTİM Enerjik contribute to local economies through a division of labor economy, skilled workforce, and high productivity, and emphasized that energy, which has become the most fundamental input for economic growth and industrial development, is increasingly gaining strategic importance today.
Büyükdede pointed out that shifting towards renewable energy sources in energy production, ensuring energy efficiency, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions are crucial for sustainable development, stating, “The sectoral focus of the OSTİM cluster is on environmentally friendly energy and clean technologies, encompassing key topics such as energy storage, circular economy, sustainable water management, sustainable mobility, resource and material efficiency, and energy efficiency. Therefore, energy efficiency and renewable energy programs will make significant contributions to sectoral applications.”
Britain has a high level of investment in Türkiye.
Lord Robin Berry Janvrin, the UK Trade Envoy to Turkey, stated that Türkiye exhibits great dynamism, energy, and diversity. Janvrin said, “Especially today, British firms are here collaborating with Turkish energy and technology companies and are pushing forward with clean technologies that will emerge in the future. Cooperation with Turkey is very important.”
Janvrin noted that Britain is the second largest export market for Turkish goods, with bilateral trade reaching approximately £17 billion. He stated that Britain has a very high level of investment in Türkiye and that they want to ensure this is not affected by Brexit. He added, "As the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy, I can say that the Brexit issue is quite frightening for everyone. But looking at the relationship between the two countries, we want to maintain a strong trade relationship regardless of the winds blowing. We must be optimistic about trade. The United Kingdom has always been a leading country for business. There are important technology companies within this business delegation. For Turks who will cooperate with British suppliers, there is access to loan financing in Britain. The export credit agency is eager to support Turkish firms with up to 18.5 billion Turkish Lira coming from Türkiye. This requires a 20% British component, which is quite low."
Janvrin added that Britain is a suitable country for investment due to its positive solutions in key areas such as education, the tax system, G20 membership, its culture of supporting free trade, and its attitude towards immigrants.
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