Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that the nation exported more than ten billion dollars worth of defense and aerospace products last year. Speaking in Istanbul, he stated that these shipments reached 180 different countries and regions.
Addressing the Türkiye Innovation Week 2026 event, Erdogan pointed to ongoing efforts to expand research capabilities and support technology startups. Authorities are working to accelerate higher-value production.
Through the national technology initiative, the country has built an immense research, development and innovation infrastructure, according to the president. He maintained that this level of capability is possessed by only a handful of nations worldwide.
Erdogan outlined a target to foster 100,000 technology startups by 2030. These emerging firms are projected to reach a combined valuation of 100 billion dollars.
Terminal buildings at Istanbul Ataturk Airport are currently being converted into a major hub as part of this technological push. The site is transforming into the world largest technology and entrepreneurship center under the Terminal Istanbul brand.
For Türkiye, investing in advanced technology is more than a choice, Erdogan told the audience in Istanbul. He stressed the necessity of accelerating the transition to high value-added production.
Shifting focus to investigations surrounding investment funds, Erdogan stated that authorities have brought the problem under control. Decisive steps to address the matter have been underway since September 17.
The operation is being conducted with the precision of a surgeon, Erdogan said. Officials are resolving the situation in the fairest possible way through determined, careful and sensitive steps.
Efforts to hold individuals accountable for unfair gains obtained through market manipulation are continuing. Erdogan noted that these legal proceedings are advancing with due regard for relevant judicial processes.
The president issued a warning against using the ongoing fund investigations to cast suspicion on the entire capital markets sector. He stated that the criminalization of the broader markets over the fund issue is unacceptable.
Erdogan pointed out that the controversy affects only 4.6 percent of funds. He cautioned that using this specific issue to sow fear about all capital market instruments would ultimately undermine the Turkish economy.
