İzmir welcomes further investments
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Mete Tamer Omur - Referans
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 19, 2009 00:00
İZMİR - Five companies, four of which are international, have decided to invest in the Aegean Free Zone, or ESBAŞ, according to the founder and chairman of the zone.
"At the beginning the total investment received will be between 25 million to 30 million euros," said Kaya Tuncer. "These companies will provide new employment opportunities for 3,000 people."
Tuncer revealed that the U.S.-based Gates Corporation, which specializes in making belts, hoses and hydraulics for automotive and industrial purposes, as one of these five investors. "The company, in the midst of the global economic crisis, saw contraction as its best bet. With that in mind, it has planned to unite some of its factories. Searching for new investment opportunities, within the framework of its contraction plan, Gates looked into many locations from Europe to China and found Turkey to be one of the most attractive countries," Tuncer said.
"After looking into investment opportunities in the free zones located in Bursa and Çorlu, Gates decided to steer their wheel towards İzmir," he said, and added: "They may relocate some of their factories scattered around the world in İzmir. The company is planning to produce pistons and engine jackets here.
"Investing in ESBAŞ will be a part of Gates’ strategy to fight the crisis. The firm will establish a 25,000 square meter facility in the region," said Tuncer.
Gates wants to invest right away. The construction of its facility will begin within the next four months, said Tuncer. "The production at the facility is expected to begin in 2010. Meanwhile, Gates rented a building to provide training to the people it will employ," he added. Keller-Vandacı and Baykal Mobilya, will also invest and create something from scratch in the region, said Tuncer. Two other companies have plans to enlarge the establishments they already have in the region, he said. "Kapadokya Tekstil, a textile company, that is already operational in our region has decided to invest further. The company will provide employment for nearly 200 people with its new investment.
"Eldor, an Italian company that produces electronic components for world's leading automotive companies, has also decided to expand its investments in the region. Currently the company’s facility in İzmir employs 600 people. When the investment implemented that figure will reach 1,000," Tuncer said.
Some seven companies operating in ESBAŞ implemented investments last year, said Tuncer. The sum of those investments reached 40 million euros, providing employment for an additional 3,000 people, he added. "Currently the region employs 14,500 people. That figure is expected to surpass 20,000 within the next two years."
Tuncer revealed that the U.S.-based Gates Corporation, which specializes in making belts, hoses and hydraulics for automotive and industrial purposes, as one of these five investors. "The company, in the midst of the global economic crisis, saw contraction as its best bet. With that in mind, it has planned to unite some of its factories. Searching for new investment opportunities, within the framework of its contraction plan, Gates looked into many locations from Europe to China and found Turkey to be one of the most attractive countries," Tuncer said.
"After looking into investment opportunities in the free zones located in Bursa and Çorlu, Gates decided to steer their wheel towards İzmir," he said, and added: "They may relocate some of their factories scattered around the world in İzmir. The company is planning to produce pistons and engine jackets here.
"Investing in ESBAŞ will be a part of Gates’ strategy to fight the crisis. The firm will establish a 25,000 square meter facility in the region," said Tuncer.
Gates wants to invest right away. The construction of its facility will begin within the next four months, said Tuncer. "The production at the facility is expected to begin in 2010. Meanwhile, Gates rented a building to provide training to the people it will employ," he added. Keller-Vandacı and Baykal Mobilya, will also invest and create something from scratch in the region, said Tuncer. Two other companies have plans to enlarge the establishments they already have in the region, he said. "Kapadokya Tekstil, a textile company, that is already operational in our region has decided to invest further. The company will provide employment for nearly 200 people with its new investment.
"Eldor, an Italian company that produces electronic components for world's leading automotive companies, has also decided to expand its investments in the region. Currently the company’s facility in İzmir employs 600 people. When the investment implemented that figure will reach 1,000," Tuncer said.
Some seven companies operating in ESBAŞ implemented investments last year, said Tuncer. The sum of those investments reached 40 million euros, providing employment for an additional 3,000 people, he added. "Currently the region employs 14,500 people. That figure is expected to surpass 20,000 within the next two years."