Innovation and Efficiency

INOVATION and EFFICIENCY

"Our agency aims to increase the competitiveness of the region by differentiating it from other regions in areas that will increase the added value of our regional economy, and by encouraging activities in which it is and can be superior and strong in competition. With the TR41 Region Innovation and Smart Specialisation Strategy prepared within this framework, we aim to increase the competitiveness level of the region by developing information and technology-oriented activities where entrepreneurial opportunities are prioritised with the implementation of effective macro and micro policies specific to the region.

On the other hand, we aim to contribute to the transition to sustainable production by reducing environmental impacts arising from production activities and increasing efficiency in resource and energy use. Thus, we offer a sustainable development approach that will not ignore the social and environmental components while supporting the increase in the international competitiveness of the region."

Our region, which consists of Bursa, Eskişehir and Bilecik provinces, is home to important sectors that determine the competitiveness of the national economy. In order to maintain the existing competitive advantages of our region, it is necessary to develop knowledge-oriented policies in the coming period. The TR41 Region Innovation and Smart Specialisation Strategy, which we have prepared as an agency, includes a strategic approach that will increase the added value of the regional economy and facilitate the focus on activities in which it is superior and strong in global competition and has the potential to be.

The fact that the sectoral structures of Bursa, Eskişehir and Bilecik provinces are different has led to the differentiation of the general economic development dynamics. In Bursa, there are many firms with R&D centres, export-oriented, medium and large-scale innovation-oriented activities. Eskişehir, on the other hand, is characterised by a productivity-oriented production economy. Bilecik is in the process of transition from a resource-based production structure to a productivity-based structure. In this direction, nanotechnology, advanced material technologies, mechatronics, automation and robotics technologies, precision manufacturing technologies and technical textile applications are the smart specialisation areas that stand out in our region.

TR41 Region, which hosts locomotive sectors such as automotive, textile, machinery-metal, furniture, aviation, rail systems, ceramics and marble, is one of the leading regions in the national economy in terms of employment, exports and added value.

In order to increase the share of medium-high and high-tech sectors in exports, there is a need to focus on more specialised areas and to encourage the transition to innovation and productivity-oriented, qualified, high value-added products and services that prioritise environmental sustainability.

According to TURKSTAT 2022 Foreign Trade results, TR41 Region ranks 4th among 26 regions in exports, and four of the top five countries in the target markets are members of the European Union. Within the scope of the preparation process against additional measures such as carbon regulation at the border within the scope of the European Green Deal, there is a need for capacity development in managing the carbon and water footprint of the exporting sectors in the region in terms of export sustainability.

Our Agency aims for a sustainable development target that does not ignore the social and environmental components while supporting the increase of the international competitiveness of the region. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Business (WBCSD), sustainable production and consumption is to contribute to environmental quality through the efficient production and use of natural resources, minimising waste and optimising products and services. Sustainable production approach is a production strategy that has economic returns as well as environmental benefits.

The dissemination of resource efficiency practices, which can also be described as a prerequisite for sustainable production, is extremely important and effective. However, when resource efficiency practices remain within the company boundaries, these practices can improve environmental performance to a certain level. For this reason, a holistic regional approach that can go beyond the boundaries of the company in order to achieve more gains and that will often provide inter-firm or even inter-sectoral co-operation increases the multiplier effect of resource efficiency practices.

The activities carried out by our Agency in this field started with raising awareness on the development of the concept of sustainable production in our region and continued with capacity building studies including exemplary practices in the production and service sectors.

When the distributions by number of firms and employment for all three provinces are analysed, it is seen that while some of the prominent sectors on a provincial basis are similar, there are also different sectors concentrated in different provinces. Therefore, resource efficiency potential differs for each province and sector. Our Agency plans its activities by focusing on sectors with high potential for expansion through feasibility and strategy determination studies.

This sectoral transformation approach, which is focused on innovation and efficiency, also directly overlaps with many policy areas in the Twelfth Development Plan. It is envisaged that the areas targeted for intervention will contribute to the policies and measures under the axes of Stable Growth - Strong Economy, Competitive Production with Green and Digital Transformation, Disaster Resilient Living Areas - Sustainable Environment.