This document summarizes the aviation and space cluster initiative in Izmir, Turkey led by a private company. It describes how the cluster was formed through collaboration between the private sector, universities, and government agencies with the goal of attracting foreign direct investment. Key developments included establishing an aerospace association, hosting conferences, partnering with aviation clusters in Germany, and opening a vocational school for aircraft technology. The cluster now has 53 members and focuses on new technologies, research and development, training, and collaborating globally in the aerospace industry.

2. industry leading the cluster initiative
case: aviation and space cluster, izmir-Turkey
tci conference new delhi, indiatci conference new delhi, india
december 1st, 2010
vedat kunt
vego consulting

3. • most of the cluster cases we see are state
institution, donor organization or university
led initiatives
• we rarely see a private company (or group of
companies) led initiative
top
down

4. • on the other side, many industries benefit
from being concentrated in a particular
region, there is cooperation (and of course
competition) between each other and with
state institutions and academia…state institutions and academia…
• this was natural and usually without even
thinking that this is what we call “cluster
activities”

5. • automotive, textile, chemical, agricultural food,
electronics, marine crafts, leather goods and
wear, construction materials, machinery….and
many more industries all enjoyed similar
benefits and agglomerated in particular
regions…regions…
• agglomeration yes but cluster not really…
• however, with some effort from both sides (top
down and bottom up), it becomes a perfect
cluster case…

6. Turkey figures 2003 2007 2008 2009 2010 F
Population,
million hbts
72.5 + %1.29
GDP usd 305 649 742 618 700 ??
GDP growth % 5.3 4.7 1.1 -4.7 8 ???
export bil.usd 47 107 132 102 120 +??
Impor bil. usd 69 170 202 141 160 +??

7. izmir-Turkey
exports
•exports from the zone was 3.7 billion
usd in 2008, fell down 2.7 bil. usd in
2009, but likely to rise to 3 bil usd + in
2010
approximately 13.000 people are
employed in the free zone

8. case: aviation and space cluster, izmir-Turkey
• vision starts with space-camp year 2000
(esbas- aegean free zone, izmir)
• 2002-2003-2005 offset business
development days
• 2006 esbas starts working• 2006 esbas starts working
on the cluster concept, first ideas
around aviation and space, machinery,
electronics, automotive…main motivation is
to bring fdi to the region…

9. case: aviation and space cluster, izmir-Turkey
• 2006 esbas starts working on the cluster concept, first ideas
around aviation and space, machinery, electronics,
automotive…main motivation is to bring fdi (especially from hi-
tech sectors) to the region…

10. case: Aviation and space cluster, izmir-Turkey
• 2007, collaboration with universities
in the region to draft a project
document supporting cluster activities
• 2008, 1st izmir aviation and
space conferencespace conference

11. • 2007-2009, discussions for collaboration with undersecretary
for defense industry of Turkey
• 2009, cooperation agreement with pri-nadcap, training and
certification company
• 2009, mou signed with hanse aerospace and bavaria
aerospace, two leading aviation and space clusters from
germanygermany
• 2009, work begins to establish first aviation program at
aegean university of izmir.
• aerospace clustering association established
(www.havacilikkumelenmesi.org)

12. • 2010 october, 2nd aviation and space conference held in
izmir with the support of izmir regional development
agency.
• 2010 october; aegean university, aircraft technology
higher vocational school’s opening with 30 students.
Turkish aerospace industries, undersecretary for defense
industry and Turkish air forces supports the school withindustry and Turkish air forces supports the school with
providing machines, equipment, services, aircrafts, etc.
• school program shaped according to industry needs

13. today
• association has 53 members (15 companies), leading
companies; lisi aerospace, kale group, ninda design, fokker
elmo, pfw aviation, havelsan…
• izmir region cooperates with ankara, eskişehir, kayseri and
istanbul where agglomerations in aviation industry exist.
• development areas for izmir in the aerospace industry will be• development areas for izmir in the aerospace industry will be
– new technologies
– r&d, design
– training and education
– human resources development
– cooperation and collaboration hub with global
aviation and space clusters

14. thank you very much and wish you success in
your cluster and competitiveness work…
vedat kunt
v.kunt@vego.com.tr