Türkiye Innovation Week Opens Its Doors for the 12th Time
Organized by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) with the support of the Ministry of Trade under the theme “Tomorrow: Now”, Türkiye Innovation Week 2025 commenced at the Haliç Congress Center. TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe remarked, “The future no longer resides in calendar pages, but finds life in artificial intelligence and code.”
Held under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and organized by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) with the theme “Tomorrow: Now”, Türkiye Innovation Week 2025 (TIW) opened its doors at the Haliç Congress Center. In their opening speeches, Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat and TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe emphasized the strategic importance of innovation in shaping Türkiye's economic future and ensuring the sustainable growth of exports.
“Innovation is the only path to enhancing added value”
Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, in his address, stated that Türkiye Innovation Week has become a model of sustainability, growing stronger in content with each passing year. Noting that a record participation of nearly 20,000 registrations was achieved this year, Bolat said, “Areas such as R&D, innovation, digital and green transformation, and e-export are shaping Türkiye's future. Every activity that enhances added value is the most precious investment for us.”
Bolat also announced the first export of Türkiye's domestic automobile TOGG to Germany, stating, “The first batch of 100 Togg vehicles has been exported to Germany, the birthplace of the automobile, by train. This number is expected to approach 1,000 by the end of the year.”
Highlighting the rapid spread of artificial intelligence technologies across the business world, Bolat added, “The proportion of companies utilizing artificial intelligence in Türkiye has risen from 2.7% in 2021 to 7.5% by mid-2025.”
Underscoring that Türkiye stands as an island of stability in its region with strong economic leadership, Bolat declared, “Innovation is the only way to achieve our economic goals by enhancing added value. We will continue striving for greater production, greater exports, and greater employment.”
“The future now lies in artificial intelligence”
In his opening remarks, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe expressed his hope that the ceasefire in Gaza, achieved with Türkiye's contribution, would be beneficial, stating, “We once again strongly condemn Israel and extend our condolences to more than 67,000 of our Palestinian brothers and sisters who lost their lives over the past two years.”
Emphasizing that innovation forms the cornerstone of sustainable export growth, Gültepe said, “As the collective voice of over 150,000 exporters, we are proclaiming Türkiye's innovative vision to the world.”
Gültepe noted that this year's Türkiye Innovation Week, restructured around artificial intelligence under the theme “Tomorrow: Now”, presents a vision that builds the future today. “The future no longer lives on the pages of calendars; it thrives in artificial intelligence and code. AI technologies are generating new opportunities across every field, from production to exports. We are advancing towards becoming a nation that not only exports products, but also knowledge, design, and technology,” he said.
He further explained that the event features an extensive program including over 120 speakers, masterclasses, workshops, and special areas such as the Next Generation Zone designed for young entrepreneurs. “Universities, technoparks, and industrial enterprises are uniting around a common vision. More than 2,400 companies have participated in our InovaLİG competition. Our InovaTİM family continues to grow, now comprising over 3,000 young members,” Gültepe stated.
The future of exports is shaped by innovation
Throughout the three-day TIW 2025, panels will be held on technology, sustainability, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, R&D, and entrepreneurship, aiming to strengthen Türkiye's innovative capacity in global export competitiveness.