ISTANBUL

Chinese state-owned company, Lingang Shanghai Data Port, and the China Trade Association, based in Türkiye, signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai to establish a trade and technology center in Türkiye.

The project intends to enable a large number of Chinese companies to invest in Türkiye, cooperate with Turkish companies and support technology companies, startups and technology development zones in Türkiye with Chinese technologies.

"We have been in dialog with Lingang Shanghai Data Port for about 1 - 1.5 years. This agreement is a roof and under this roof there will be hundreds of investments and partnerships," said the head of the China Trade Association, Baris Aric.

"We needed an institution and organization to guide Chinese institutions. On the technology side, they gave their approval for artificial intelligence and data flow to be opened to this side.

“Data that is normally forbidden to leave China will flow to Türkiye,” he said.

To explain the situation of a technology company that will come to Türkiye in terms of investment, Aric gave the example of Trendyol, a Turkish company in its establishment.

"Ali Baba came with his technology and developed Trendyol's technology, which is sufficient to some extent. Imagine that this is replicated," he said.

Digital Silk Road: Realizing the foundation of a structure

Aric said his company organized conferences in China to encourage investors to invest in Türkiye and explained that Turkish companies can overcome difficulties in markets where Chinese companies have difficulties.

He expressed that the basis of the structure is to implement the Digital Silk Road and the China Trade Association is trying to draw a line through a certain center with official authorities of both sides.

"The aim of the Chinese side is to diversify the markets of Chinese companies in the world in the event of possible uncertainty and to carry out a bypass operation through Türkiye when they have a problem with the EU.

“Our aim is to pair Turkish companies with Chinese companies within the framework of this agreement, to transfer the technology and know-how there, and to increase exports to Europe or Middle East-African countries.

“China will be a driving force for Turkish companies within the framework of this agreement," he said.

*Writing by Sahika Malkoc