A delegation led by Investment Office Vice President Bekir Polat participated in the 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) held in Beijing to engage with Chinese investors and institutions and explore opportunities for collaboration in investments and global supply chains.
During his keynote address at the expo, Polat highlighted the historical ties between Türkiye and China, two countries strategically positioned at opposite ends of the ancient Silk Road. "Our countries have established strong human and cultural bonds through trade, culture, and diplomacy in the past. This shared heritage provides a solid foundation for deeper cooperation in modern times," Polat said.
Polat also noted that China is Türkiye's largest trade partner in Asia and its third largest globally, with bilateral trade volume reaching USD 48 billion in 2023.
Polat emphasized the growing interest of Chinese companies in Türkiye, stating, "As of mid-2024, more than 1,300 Chinese companies operate in Türkiye, with total investments nearing USD 6 billion." He underscored that this expanding economic partnership demonstrates the commitment of both sides to further strengthening bilateral ties in the coming years.
Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership, Polat stated, Türkiye aims to rank among the world's top 10 economies. Türkiye's recently unveiled FDI Strategy for 2024-2028 focuses on attracting high-quality investments in climate-friendly technologies, digital investments, and global value chains.
Polat extended an invitation to Chinese companies to invest in high-tech production and R&D in Türkiye, stating, “We encourage our Chinese partners and companies to contribute to Türkiye's economic growth while accessing the European, Middle Eastern, and African markets more effectively."
When asked whether Türkiye and China are competitors or complementary partners in global supply chains, Polat affirmed that China's global policies are considered to be highly complementary to Türkiye's strategic objectives. "China's globalization efforts will benefit Türkiye," Polat added, highlighting Türkiye's Customs Union with Europe and its free trade agreements with nearly 30 countries, which collectively provide access to a market of 1.3 billion people and a USD 30 trillion economy. "Our message to our Chinese partners is clear: Türkiye is the nexus of the world. Investing in Türkiye not only unlocks the potential of the Turkish market but also paves the way to broader regional opportunities. We see China's global policies and Türkiye's strategic vision as mutually reinforcing," Polat elaborated.
As part of the expo, Investment Office Project Manager Kaan Masatçı participated in a panel titled "The Low-Carbon Era of Smart Connected Vehicles," alongside Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Senior Vice President & CTO Dr. Shen Yuan, Gotion High-tech Vice President Chen Wei, AGC (China) Holdings Vice President Xiao Dong, and the Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Director of Industrial and Technological Innovation Research Department Wang Xiaoming.
Masatçı shared insights on Türkiye's approach to Chinese EV manufacturing investments and discussed collaboration opportunities in the global automotive industry to address the new challenges of low-carbon transformation.