PRODUCTION CENTER OF THE NATION’S INDUSTRY

The defining characteristic of Kocaeli, however, is that it is a “City of Industry and Investment.” Almost without parallel globally, 13% of Kocaeli’s GDP is generated from its manufacturing industry. The province’s industry based economy accounts for 13% of Turkey’s Industrial Production.

In the past few years the province has developed as a hotspot for the automotive industry, with investments by the sector’s heavy hitters such as: Ford, Hyundai, Honda and Isuzu. The major league players of the tyre and rubber sector are here too; Goodyear, Pirelli, Lassa and Bridgestone, all operate in Kocaeli. Today Kocaeli hosts 1900 industrial investments of which 247 have been established with international capital. Turkey’s largest enterprise, the Tüpraş Petroleum Refinery Plant, is also located in Kocaeli, where the province supplies 27% of the national chemical industry (petro-chemical included). 28 of Turkey’s 100 largest enterprises are located here.

Another meaningful indicator for the province is that out of Turkey’s 89 provinces, 13% of national tax revenues are collected from Kocaeli.

The province has a strong potential in terms of foreign trade and it has the track record to prove it. Exports in 2012 exceeded 14.3 billion USD while imports reached 34 billion USD. Another way to interpret these figures is through the high volumes that they create at the ports and roads of Kocaeli, once again reflecting its strategic geographical importance and logistical infrastructure. In terms of commerce and trade 45,000 firms are active in Kocaeli.

In Kocaeli there are 13 Organised Industrial Zones, 3 Technology Parks and 2 Free Trade Zones. These advantageous investment areas are neighbouring Turkey’s greatest internal market, Istanbul. They are widely considered as the most developed industrial areas closest to the EU, the Middle East and Caucasus.

The 2 universities in Kocaeli with their 50 thousand students and Scientific Research Centres play an important role in order to meet the demand for human resources. Some 32.642 students from 46 technical vocational high schools in the province are trained to meet the demands of the industry’s intermediate personnel.

The existing infrastructure elements such as transport, water, electricity and natural gas combine to enhance Kocaeli’s investment potential. Turkey’s one and only hazardous-waste incineration plant is found in Kocaeli, a great advantage for an industry striving to achieve international environmental and product standards. In addition to this the efforts of the Chamber have led to the establishment of the Industrial Waste Market, enabling the re-utilization of industrial waste while making a contribution to the economy.

Alongside its industry, the province is also striving to develop its sea and lake tourism, and to some extent, its winter sports, providing alternatives for water sports along the beaches of the Black Sea and a ski resort on the hills of Kartepe. Horse breeding is also a growing trend in the province. The nation’s best race horses are bred at stud farms located here in Kocaeli.