09.06.2015 İstanbul
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that the new resource of the necessary growth could not be considered independent of innovation in production and exports, “The most important factor of Turkey’s new story should be to rapidly increase the ratio of high technology in our industry. This is a must-have for sustainable growth.”
TOBB Turkey Biotechnology Sector Council convened in İstanbul with the
attendance of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. TOBB ETU Deputy Rector
and Turkey Economic Policy Research Foundation (TEPAV) Prof. Dr. Güven Sak
presided over the meeting during which views were exchanged in regards to the
future of the sector with the representatives of pharmaceutical, medical,
agricultural, genetic, chemical, plastic sectors.
During his opening speech, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the world is undergoing a technological transformation and that all
tendencies are being reshaped, from industry to agriculture; that strategies
built on science and technology based innovation, productivity and efficiency
becoming a main factor in competitiveness whether it be in the case of
countries or companies.
Touching on the fact that Turkey needs a new story during this time of
global transformation, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In the future, the new resource of
the necessary growth could not be considered independent of innovation in
production and exports. The most important factor of Turkey’s new story should
be to rapidly increase the ratio of high technology in our industry. This is a
must-have for sustainable growth. In addition to talking about present issues,
we must also discuss Turkey’s future. Turkey’s economic transformation cannot
be considered in a vacuum apart from the global innovation agenda. Turkey must
decide on its technological priorities and must take steps to hasten its
innovation towards these goals. Lateral tech platforms, which have the
potential to transform numerous sectors, are an opportunity to transform
industry. Turkey’s technological priorities must be in line with global
priorities. The critical point is to determine which technologies to focus and
via which sectors, as well as designing its expansion to other sectors.”
- “Technological transformation
is the driving force behind sustainable growth”
Pointing out that technological transformation is the driving force
behind sustainable growth, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB has prioritized
biotechnology as a lateral tech platform with potential to transform numerous
sectors. Stating that biotechnology, used in sectors ranging from food to
plastics; from energy to pharmaceuticals, can bring about qualitative change as
its effects spread to other sectors, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Catalyzing projects
for transferring and reproducing new technologies. In order to initiate growth
process based on innovation, we must adopt a project based approach as well as
designing catalyzing projects. New industrial policy tools should be organized around
catalyzing projects. What needs to be done at the beginning is, following focus
and prioritization work, is the establishment of a governing body and the
designing of the first catalyzing projects. Turkey has always been late to
technology transfers. We don’t want this to persist in biotech as well. We are
conducting B20 efforts throughout the world, working closely with approximately
1,000 of the world’s largest companies. I‘ve observed that the only way to grow
as a company is through technology. It falls to TOBB to open the way for
catalyzing projects in Turkey which will bring high tech to life. To this end,
we’ve begun work to establish the Biotechnology Foundation in cooperation with
the Development Ministry. We will work with large companies in this field to
ensure that Turkey moves forward, to bring innovation to the industry.”
TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the most exciting Sector
Council for him is the Biotechnology Sector Council, emphasizing that Turkey’s
prosperity will be achieved through the work of sector councils.
- Why biotechnology?
During his presentation at the TOBB Turkey Biotechnology Sector Council,
TEPAV Director Güven Sak stated that biotech could assist the push Turkey
needs. Drawing attention to the need to ameliorate the investment environment
and the development of smart investment models, Prof. Dr. Sak stated that new
technologies could save Turkey time in achieving its 2023 goals, “Technology
platforms form the center of the new industry policy.”