President Burkay Announces Historic Projects for the Bursa Economy

İbrahim Burkay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), unveiled for the first time a series of landmark projects that represent major good news for Bursa’s business community. Burkay announced that the SME Organized Industrial Zone (SME OIZ) project, long awaited by SMEs, has been launched in TEKNOSAB. He also revealed that all required legal procedures have been completed for the Organized Trade Zones, the Food Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, and logistics storage areas for the construction sector, all of which will also be established within the same region. 

İbrahim Burkay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BTSO, presented the organization’s projects, which aim to strengthen Bursa’s manufacturing, trade, technology, and logistics infrastructure through a next-generation economic vision, during a launch event held at the Hilton Hotel. Addressing the strong turnout from the business community, Burkay stated that BTSO has successfully implemented a transformative agenda over the past 13 years that has shaped the future of the city. “Today, we have come together to share Bursa’s new economic vision, the milestones of a stronger future that we have built together, and the collective determination of this city’s business community. Today, I am not merely presenting new goals; I am sharing concrete achievements that have already been completed and that were developed in response to the real needs of Bursa’s business community,” Burkay said.

“From 16 Macro Projects to More Than 60 Landmark Investments”

Recalling that BTSO’s journey began on March 25, 2013, with the slogan “We Have a Dream for Bursa” and an initial vision consisting of 16 macro projects, İbrahim Burkay said that this vision has now expanded to more than 60 projects. He noted that each of these projects represents a lasting investment that strengthens Bursa’s manufacturing, exports, technology, education, employment, and commercial infrastructure. “Thanks to the confidence and support of our more than 60,000 members, we have successfully delivered more than 60 landmark projects that have touched every member and left a lasting mark on the economic history of both our city and our country. Today, we can confidently say that Bursa has achieved in the past 13 years what would normally have required 50 years of infrastructure development,” Burkay stated. He also reminded the audience that Türkiye has endured numerous major challenges during this period, including terrorist attacks, economic fluctuations, global crises, the pandemic, and the devastating earthquakes of the century. Throughout these difficult times, BTSO remained in close contact with its members and consistently pursued a solution-oriented approach.

Bursa’s New Economic Roadmap Takes Shape

During the launch event, BTSO Chairman İbrahim Burkay also shared the key pillars of Bursa’s new economic roadmap with the public. He stated that projects such as the TEKNOSAB SME Organized Industrial Zone, Organized Trade Zones, the Food Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, logistics storage areas for the construction sector, the Data Center Venture Capital Investment Fund, TEKNOSAB Technopark, the Artificial Intelligence Transformation Center, and Fidan Han will form the backbone of Bursa’s future growth model. Burkay emphasized that these initiatives are integral components of a comprehensive development strategy encompassing manufacturing, trade, technology, and logistics. “Our SMEs need room to grow. Our food industry needs specialized production zones. Our construction sector requires organized production and storage areas. Our merchants need modern, well-planned, and powerful commercial zones. Our industry needs stronger logistics capabilities, advanced technological infrastructure, and next-generation investment models. We do not see these needs as separate issues, but as interconnected elements of Bursa’s new economic roadmap,” he said.

Historic Good News for SMEs: TEKNOSAB SME Organized Industrial Zone Becomes Reality

Burkay announced that the infrastructure, logistics, technology, and investment advantages offered by the TEKNOSAB ecosystem will now also be available to SMEs. He stated that all public interest approvals required for the project, which will meet SMEs’ demand for manufacturing space, have been completed and that the expropriation process has officially begun. Announcing that final applications for plots within the TEKNOSAB SME Organized Industrial Zone will be collected shortly, Burkay described the project as the beginning of a new era of transformation for SMEs.

“With the SME Organized Industrial Zone, we have realized a major investment that our SMEs have been eagerly awaiting for many years. We have obtained all public interest approvals, and the expropriation process has officially begun. We will collect final applications during July and August. With the advantages provided by the TEKNOSAB ecosystem, a new era of transformation has officially begun for our SMEs. May this project bring lasting benefits to our SMEs and to Bursa,” Burkay said.

He stressed that the project represents a historic step toward providing small and medium-sized enterprises in Bursa with more organized, stronger, and more competitive manufacturing facilities, adding that enabling SMEs to grow within a next-generation industrial infrastructure is of critical importance for the future of Bursa’s economy.

Applications for the Organized Trade Zone to Be Collected Soon

İbrahim Burkay emphasized that, just like industry, trade also requires next-generation infrastructure, strong logistics connections, and well-planned development areas. In this context, he announced that the Organized Trade Zone project within TEKNOSAB has been completed, the location of the center has been determined, and applications will be collected in the near future. Chairman Burkay stated that the project will provide Bursa’s business community with a modern, well-planned, and powerful environment for commercial growth. 

New Specialized Zones for the Food, Construction, and Logistics Sectors

Chairman Burkay stated that the locations for the Food Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, first planned in 2015 to address Bursa’s sector-specific needs, as well as the logistics storage areas for the construction sector, have also been designated within TEKNOSAB’s expansion area. He noted that the food industry requires specialized production zones, while the construction sector needs organized production and storage facilities. According to Burkay, these projects will enhance the efficiency, capacity, and competitiveness of both sectors.

Total Investment in TEKNOSAB to Reach TRY 100 Billion

Describing TEKNOSAB as one of BTSO’s most significant vision projects and a strategic investment that is strengthening Bursa’s manufacturing capacity, İbrahim Burkay recalled that the region was prepared for investment within just three years. He reported that 27 factories are currently in operation at TEKNOSAB, representing investments totaling TRY 60 billion, and announced that the number of operating companies is expected to reach 52 by the end of 2027. Burkay also stated that total investment in TEKNOSAB will reach TRY 100 billion, with all plots targeted to be in production by 2030.

TEKNOSAB Logistics Technopark Sets an Example with Its Joint Investment Model

Burkay said that the TEKNOSAB Logistics Technopark stands as one of Bursa’s most tangible examples of collective vision, joint investment, and shared prosperity. He noted that everyone from small business owners to industrialists has come together under the same investment model. According to Burkay, the project has attracted more than 650 investors and generated an investment of USD 75 million, becoming one of Türkiye’s largest venture capital investment funds in terms of investor participation. He added that the project has a total investment budget of USD 210 million and has achieved a value increase of 87 percent in foreign currency terms and 126 percent in Turkish lira.

Data Center, Technopark, and Artificial Intelligence Transformation Center 

Digital infrastructure, the data economy, technology development, and artificial intelligence transformation also occupy a central place in BTSO’s new vision. Chairman Burkay stated that the global economy has entered an era in which manufacturing strength is defined by technology, industrial capability by digital transformation, and cities’ competitive advantage by artificial intelligence and data-driven economic models. Within this framework, he explained that the Data Center, TEKNOSAB Technopark, and Artificial Intelligence Transformation Center projects are designed to position Bursa as a leading city in next-generation manufacturing and digital transformation.

“Bursa possesses the determination not to follow technological developments from behind, but to become a city that directly shapes the future of next-generation manufacturing, digital transformation, and an economy driven by artificial intelligence,” Burkay said.

A New Vision for the Historic Bazaar and Inns District

Burkay also highlighted BTSO’s projects aimed at revitalizing Bursa’s historic commercial centers. He described the Historic Bazaar and Inns District as one of the city’s most valuable areas, preserving Bursa’s commercial heritage and cultural identity. Through the Payitaht Bazaar project, BTSO aims to protect this rich legacy while preparing local merchants for the evolving dynamics of modern commerce. Burkay stated that the Chamber has strengthened the institutional capacity of shopkeepers through various training and development programs, while the Digital Transformation Center has supported businesses in their digitalization processes.

He added that initiatives such as the Payitaht Bazaar Shopping Days have contributed to increasing commercial activity throughout the district. Burkay also announced that BTSO will implement a comprehensive redevelopment project at İç Fidan Han and the Kubbeli Hall area, both of which are owned by the Chamber. Designed around the concepts of an open marketplace, a museum bazaar, and a living inn, the project will blend the area’s historic character with vibrant commercial activity.

Burkay emphasized that the project will provide direct access to İç Fidan Han, significantly improving the visibility of the historic inns, bringing the district’s cultural heritage back into the spotlight, and offering a lasting solution to one of the local merchants’ most important demands: better accessibility and stronger commercial activity.

“Shoulder to Shoulder for a Stronger Bursa”

Chairman Burkay stressed that the core of BTSO’s new vision is built on collective wisdom, trust, hard work, and a shared belief in Bursa’s future. He stated that the organization aims to prepare the city for the next century with a stronger economy, well-planned production areas, next-generation technological infrastructure, and greater global competitiveness. Burkay affirmed that BTSO will continue working under the guidance of collective wisdom, drawing strength from its more than 60,000 members.

“Our goal is to leave our children a stronger economy, a more prestigious city, and a Bursa with even greater ambitions. Just as we have achieved many firsts together, we will continue to move forward with the same determination, enthusiasm, and confidence,” Burkay said.

Expressing his confidence in the courage, vision, and determination of Bursa’s business community, Burkay concluded his remarks by saying:

“Every contribution, every effort, and every show of support from our members is invaluable throughout this journey. As we continue on this path for Bursa, we will move forward together once again. We will remain united in manufacturing, trade, technology, exports, and our shared investment goals. Shoulder to shoulder, we will build a stronger Bursa and continue contributing to the development of both our city and our country. May our unity endure, and may our path always remain open.”