BASBAŞ Briefs Aegean Exporters

BASBAŞ informed Aegean exporters about recent developments at the Western Anatolia Free Zone in Bergama, which it established and completed first-phase infrastructure work, and the advantages provided to companies investing in the zone. EİB Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi emphasized that the Western Anatolia Free Zone, established in Izmir's most valuable region, will be an exit gateway for exporters, while inviting exporters wishing to invest to make investments in the zone. Speaking at the "Western Anatolia Free Zone-BASBAŞ Information Meeting" held at Aegean Exporter Associations, EİB Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi noted that many issues seen as burdens by industrialists fall within exemptions at the Western Anatolia Free Zone, thereby providing significant advantages, stating: "In free zones, 100 percent corporate tax exemption, 100 percent income tax exemption, withholding tax exemption, VAT exemption, free profit transfer, customs duty exemption, KKDF exemption, and inexpensive energy use are benefits that provide competitive advantage to our exporters in international markets. The Western Anatolia Free Zone, established in a highly valuable location in Bergama with industrial investments, port connections and road links, offers a very advantageous opportunity for those considering investment. Thanks to the factory and office buildings BASBAŞ has prepared for investors, investors can press the button and start production within one month after obtaining their operating license without investing capital in buildings and land, which increases the appeal of investing in the Western Anatolia Free Zone," he said.

Saying that finding suitable locations for industrial investments has become quite difficult and prices have become exorbitant in some places, Eskinazi continued as follows:

"In today's environment where finding suitable locations for industrial investments has become quite difficult and land prices in organized industrial zones exceed USD 500 per square meter, free zones offer major opportunities in this respect. We are proud of the success of the two free zones in Izmir. I fully believe that the Western Anatolia Free Zone will be added to this circle of pride in the near future." Reiterating the proposal to make Izmir a free city to attract investments from RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) countries, which include 15 Asia-Pacific countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Australia, and Malaysia, Eskinazi said: "If Izmir becomes a free city, I believe it will rapidly reach its goal of becoming the Star of the Mediterranean. For now, we can implement free zones and increase the number of free zones in Izmir. In this regard, we have three free zones in Izmir that will guide investors. An experienced team, which is the founder and operator of two of these three free zones, is with us today. I am fully confident that the Western Anatolia Free Zone (BASBAŞ), which ESBAŞ brought to Izmir, will reach these figures in a much shorter time by benefiting from ESBAŞ's 35 years of experience," he said.

"We Want Our Exporters to Benefit from Free Zone Advantages"

Dr. Faruk Güler, Vice Chairman and CEO of BASBAŞ Board of Management, noted that they wanted to introduce the Western Anatolia Free Zone first to Aegean exporters because, as a free zone, it will provide the greatest advantage to exporters. Emphasizing that they have provided exporters with a new investment area that will increase their competitive strength in international markets, Güler explained: "We want that while our exporters strive to increase their chances of competing in international markets through countless efforts and investments, we create new investment areas that will support these efforts with our location and provided tax advantages, granting you additional competitive strength. The Western Anatolia Free Zone became the most appropriate option we could present to you for such a goal."

Dr. Faruk Güler noted that the zone will provide great benefits to the economies of Izmir, Manisa, Balıkesir and Çanakkale provinces in its hinterland, saying:

"The Western Anatolia Free Zone stands out as a priority investment region in terms of distributing industry crowded in Marmara to other regions. In our discussions with foreign investors, we particularly see high interest from Chinese companies. We are fully confident that BASBAŞ will attract strong investors to the region in a short time."

Four Companies Starting Production This Year

Providing information that four companies will start production at the Western Anatolia Free Zone this year, Dr. Faruk Güler drew attention to the fact that one of these companies posted job advertisements in recent months and 1,500 people who applied to work formed a long queue in front of Bergama Chamber of Commerce, saying: "When it comes to Bergama, people always ask us if there is a labor force. Since we know the region well, we say yes. Districts such as Soma, Ayvalık, Aliağa, Foça, and Dikili are accessible within 15 to 25 minutes of travel. With 2023 data, the potential employment rate in the 15-49 age range in this region is around 350,000. While nearly a thousand graduates are produced annually from 10 vocational high schools in Bergama and Dikili alone, students receiving vocational training suited to current conditions from vocational high schools affiliated with Dokuz Eylül and Ege universities in Bergama will form the qualified workforce for enterprises to be established in the region." Dr. Faruk Güler noted that they have begun projects with 2 vocational high schools and 10 technical vocational high schools in the region to make the local workforce more skilled in accordance with the type of investment that will come tomorrow, saying: "We are continuing the mentoring training we started last year with 80 students this year. We are preparing these students for working life in accordance with the curriculum we have developed. Furthermore, school administrations in the region are collecting the CVs of their graduates and sharing them with us. This CV pool also provides important advantages for investors seeking employees. Additionally, work is underway for the construction of a vocational high school within Bergama Organized Industrial Zone. As BASBAŞ, we will also support this project," he said.

Güner provided the following information on the matter:

"A vehicle leaving our region via road can reach Europe in 6 hours. Established at the intersection of Turkey's most important sea, road and railway connections, the Western Anatolia Free Zone covers a total area of 2.5 million square meters. Our region, located 30 minutes away from tourism centers such as Ayvalık, Cunda, Foça, and Dikili, is a perfect location for white-collar workers and managers. 30 minutes away from Aliağa, Turkey's most important port region. When completed, it will host 120 companies and provide employment for 20,000 people in surrounding districts. The Western Anatolia Free Zone offers unique opportunities for our export-oriented production companies in terms of logistical advantages, qualified human resources, incentives provided and services. As the first free zone in Turkey to have 5G infrastructure, we adopt a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. In Izmir, renewable energy stands out both in terms of use and clustering. In that respect, we will prioritize renewable energy companies here. We have already established a 500-person kitchen that will serve the entire zone. Over the next 5-6 years, we are starting construction on a food production facility that will produce food for approximately 6,000 people. Additionally, the Joint Health and Safety Unit building that will serve within BASBAŞ is completed. Our truck parking area will have a capacity of 136 trucks. There will also be 400,000 square meters of green space and a sports center. In the zone where banks will also be located, we are forming major partnerships with large companies and implementing the Technology Center. We will also build our social facilities overlooking the zone and containing a restaurant."