Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (Fraunhofer IML) and Istanbul University, supported by the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Türkiye (ISPAT), have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to work jointly on improving Türkiye’s logistics industry through research and development on applied logistics.
The signature ceremony took place during the conference entitled “Applied Logistics in Industry- University Collaboration” at Istanbul University’s Avcilar campus, bringing together industry representatives and academia.
Addressing the participants at the conference, ISPAT Advisor Kemal Kafadar spoke of the crucial importance of logistics costs for any industry and the increased use of technology in Türkiye’s logistics sector. “Having recognized the logistics sector as a strategic field with direct influence on a number of other sectors, ISPAT supports investors whose projects include know-how and the transfer of technology. In this regard, we are proud to have assisted Fraunhofer IML’s entry into our logistics sector, which will create substantial added-value, thanks to its cooperation with Istanbul University,” he noted.
Expressing his gratitude for ISPAT’s assistance, Prof. Michael Henke, Director of Fraunhofer IML, said that Türkiye’s logistics sector carried the potential for creating added value for other sectors. “Through collaboration with Istanbul University and with partners in manufacturing and logistics industries, Fraunhofer IML aims to unravel new synergy and power in the Turkish logistics industry,” Henke remarked.
As a steadily growing and export-driven economy, Türkiye has set goals to meet by its centennial in 2023 that include reaching an export volume of USD 500 billion, a GDP of USD 2 trillion and becoming a global logistics hub.