Turkey hosts 800 design, R&D centers

There are 800 design and research and development centers in Turkey, the country's Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Özlü said on Thursday.

At the centers nearly 26,000 projects have either been completed or are in their developing phase.

The centers employ 44,000 staff, he added.

Özlü emphasized the need for innovative designs and infrastructure for economic growth.

"Businesses which contribute to the country's gross domestic product through research and development and [innovative] designs should be supported," he said.

Istanbul hosts 269 such centers, according to a ministry report, followed by northwestern Bursa, Aegean Izmir and capital Ankara cities.

Research and development centers which employ more than 15 staff and work on local projects are supported by the ministry.

Similarly, local design centers with more than 10 staff receive tax cuts.