Türkiye’s research and development spending has risen to $20 billion from $1.2 billion in 2002, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, highlighting efforts to strengthen the country’s position in the global technology race.

Speaking at the Türkiye Innovation Week event in Istanbul, Erdogan said the country had expanded its research and innovation infrastructure under its National Technology Move initiative.

The number of technoparks in Türkiye had increased to 115 from only a handful 24 years ago, he said.

“Through our National Technology Move, we have built a magnificent research, development and innovation infrastructure that only a few countries in the world possess,” Erdogan said.

The initiative aims to develop domestic technological capabilities and boost innovation as Türkiye seeks to improve its competitiveness in the global technology sector. (ILKHA)