Izmir, the Aegean Region's Gem, Also Shines in Industry

Izmir is Turkey's third most populous city. Izmir is an important fair center and port city that hosts the Izmir International Fair annually, located in the center of the Aegean Region, on the western part of the Anatolian Peninsula. By area, it is Turkey's twenty-third largest province. To the west are the Aegean Sea and Aegean Islands, to the south is Aydın, to the north is Balıkesir, and to the east is Manisa. The Çeşme Peninsula is located west of Izmir and is famous for its sea, beaches and thermal centers. Ephesus, among the most important cities of ancient times, was one of the world's largest cities during Rome's imperial period. Displaying the riches of all Ionian culture, Ephesus attracted attention with intense artistic activities. For this purpose, the city was called "Beautiful Izmir," "Old Izmir," and "la Perle de l'Ionie" (Pearl of Ionia). Izmir is located at the head of a long and narrow gulf. Along the coast are palm trees, date palms and wide avenues. Izmir Port is Turkey's largest port after Mersin Port. A vibrant and cosmopolitan city, Izmir holds an important position with international art festivals and the Izmir International Fair. Izmir Province Population: 4,223,545 (2016). The province's area is 11,891 km². The population density is 355 people per km². (The district with the highest density is Konak with 15,444 people) The annual population growth rate in the province was 1.32 percent. According to TÜİK data in 2016, there are 30 districts and municipalities with a total of 1,295 neighborhoods.

In the Brookings Institution and JP Morgan's 2014 ranking of economically rising cities, Izmir achieved second place among 300 cities worldwide, behind Macau. In this list, Izmir ranked 6th in 2013.

In this list, Istanbul ranked third, Bursa fourth, and Ankara ninth. The unemployment rate in Izmir in 2014 was 6.6 percent according to this report. Izmir is the only city among Turkey's three major metropolitan areas that can produce the electrical energy it needs. The province has power plants with 3,992 MW of installed capacity. Izmir is highly developed in terms of agriculture-based industrial sectors. Textiles, ready-made clothing, food, beverages, beer, tobacco and animal feed are among the most important industries. Beyond these, iron-steel, petrochemicals, automotive, cement, footwear, fertilizer, agricultural machinery and ceramic industries are among the city's important industrial products. Due to raw material sources, skilled labor and transportation opportunities, as well as its status as a port city, Izmir has become the industrial and commercial center of the region. It would not be incorrect to state that the products produced in the industrial sector have quality according to world standards. Coal, gold, copper, lead, zinc, iron, antimony, perlite, graphite, asbestos, titanium, dolomite and marble are extracted and processed in and around Izmir. Izmir is one of Turkey's leading cities in construction materials manufacturing. The Aegean Region ranks second in the country in terms of industry, after the Marmara Region. There are significant differences in development and industrial ratio between different parts of the region.

The actual Aegean Region is more developed in terms of industry, and Izmir, the largest and most developed city in the region, is located in this section. Izmir is an important industrial city with its fair and export port. The Aliağa Oil Refinery is also located in Izmir.

Izmir, where the automotive, metal goods, chemicals, ceramics, textiles, cement, tobacco and olive oil sectors are important, is Turkey's largest export port. Small industrial estates, organized industrial zones, free zones and technology parks contribute to the development of Izmir's industry. The foundations of Izmir's industry were laid at the 1st Izmir Economic Congress held on 17 February-4 March 1923. Steps toward planned industrialization in Izmir were taken after this congress was held. Districts where industrial investments are concentrated in Izmir include Aliağa, Bornova, Çiğli, Gaziemir, Kemalpaşa, Menderes, Menemen and Torbalı. The tobacco products and alcoholic beverages sectors are among those creating the highest added value within agriculture-based industry, and stand out as important industrial branches that provide employment and contribute directly or indirectly to every segment of society from agriculture to transportation. The petrochemicals sector represents 25 percent of total chemical production in our country. This sector provides input to other sectors and is in the position of a locomotive sector. Petkim Petrokimya Holding A.Ş. (PETKİM), one of Turkey's largest petrochemicals companies, has facilities in Aliağa, Izmir.

In Aliağa, where major Turkish industrial establishments such as Petkim, Tüpraş and Star Refinery operate in the petrochemicals sector, it also hosts important ports for container transportation. Aliağa ranks high on the list of districts with the highest trade volume from energy to logistics.

The automotive sector is certainly also very important among Turkey's locomotive sectors. The growth of the sector is extremely important for the development of our country's economy and employment figures. The low number of cars per capita in our country when compared with European Union member countries such as France and Germany actually offers an opportunity for the coming periods. Given the high proportion of young population in our country, high consumption potential is evident in the automotive sector. In Izmir, alongside large-scale companies operating in the automotive sector and engaged in intensive foreign trade, small-scale companies are also present. The majority of industrial facilities are concentrated in organized industrial zones and small industrial estates. Free zones, viewed as an important tool in increasing country exports, contribute significantly to the development of Izmir's foreign trade within the framework of export-based development strategy. The Aegean Free Zone is one of Turkey's largest free zones in terms of trade volume. The number of technology areas in Izmir that provide industry-university cooperation for the purpose of producing advanced technology products and services is increasing day by day. Including Izmir Science Park; with Dokuz Eylül Technology Development Zone, Aegean Technopark Technology Development Zone and Izmir Technology Development Zone, the total number of centers in this respect has reached 4. Izmir Science Park; at the end of 2010 under the leadership of Izmir Economy University and Izmir Chamber of Commerce, with the participation of İTOB OSB, Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Aegean Exporters Associations, Aegean University, Gazi Technopark and leading companies in the private sector, was declared and established in October 2012 as Turkey's 42nd Technopark.

Izmir Science Park; while penetrating every field including technology and internet nowadays, also takes into account that agriculture, food and energy sectors will be the main strategic sectors that will stand out on a global scale in the future.

The agricultural and animal products potential of Izmir's fertile plains, which can be harvested 3 times annually, is gaining importance. Its tremendous potential in terms of renewable energy sources including wind, solar and wave energy, as well as its unique position in strategic and logistic terms, promises significant potential for many sectors. The Işık Building, the first building of Izmir Science Park, consisting of basement+ground+2 floors in 2 blocks; has a total of 1,598 m² net rentable 29 R&D offices, 200 m² Incubation Center, a total of 84 m² 3 conference halls, storage areas with a total of 4,533 m² gross area. The facilities of Izmir Science Park are not limited to this. Entrepreneurs located in the area can freely use the 200-person conference hall, meeting rooms, meeting offices and restaurant located in the İTOB OSB Management Building. Easy and comfortable access to Izmir Science Park and İTOB OSB is provided through İZBAN. There is an opportunity to use free shuttle service to reach Izmir Science Park from the İZBAN Pancar station. The biggest driving forces behind Izmir Science Park are undoubtedly Izmir Economy University and Izmir Chamber of Commerce. Izmir Science Park has created a framework as a technology development center for conducting result-oriented work. This framework stands on three pillars: Izmir Science Park TGB, Izmir Economy University Embryonix Technology Transfer Office and Izmir Chamber of Commerce Business Angels and Mentor Network. With its advantages, particularly in human resources and geographical location, Izmir is an attraction center for domestic and foreign capital.

Sources: http://www.izto.org.tr/tr/izmir-sanayi http://www.ebso.org.tr/ https://www.izmir.bel.tr/ http://www.izmirbilimpark.com.tr/