In April, Turkey’s Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Nihat Ergün announced a TRY 1 billion ($540.4 million) plan to create 81 science centers in the country. The Project on the Establishment of Science Centers aims to create centers in all metropolitan cities within two years and in every city within five years. The High Council for Science and Technology deemed 2016 and 2023 the last years to implement the centers in metropolitan cities and all cities, respectively. Minister Ergün noted that along with increasing Turkey’s economy to one of the world’s 10 largest with exports valued at $500 billion, part of the Vision of Turkey for 2023 is to expand the percentage of the country’s budget dedicated to R&D to 3%. The Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology; TÜB?TAK; and local governments will help establish the centers.

Source: Turkey Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology