Turkey's information, communication tech sector on rise

The market size of the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector size has reached $25 billion, Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Özlü said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 5G new generation communication technologies signing ceremony at the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Tübitak) in capital Ankara, Özlü said: "Turkey has a technology deficit, we will work heartily to close that deficit."

He said Turkey grew 7.4 percent in the first quarter of 2018 but it had a current deficit problem and the only way to reduce the deficit was through technology.

"The world's digital transformation market will reach $100 trillion within the 10-year period; Turkey aims to take a $1 trillion share from the market," he said.

Özlü said they had worked hard in the last year-and-a-half years to meet targets.

"5G new generation communication technologies is one of the most important steps to raise our market share," he added.

He said Turkey will make a digital transformation in all sectors, and raise institutional quality in public and private sectors.

Tübitak President Hasan Mandal said 10 universities, 17 companies, three GSM operators, six technology development areas, an organized industrial site and an institute would work together in the 5G field.

A total of 17 companies, who will develop 5G new generation communication technologies, will be supported by the ministry through Tübitak, Özlü said.

With 5G, projects worth seven billion Turkish liras ($1.5 billion) will be implemented in Turkey, Özlü added.