The Antalya Free Zone

Founded near the port area 12 km from Antalya's city center and 25 km from the airport on an area of 554,000 square meters, the Antalya Free Zone entered service on the 14^th of November, 1987.

Financing of the land and infrastructure was met by the State, the superstructure was developed by the investing companies and the management of the Antalya Free Trade Zone was handed over to the private sector. With its completed electricity, water, telecommunication and waste water treatment facilities, roads and green areas, it is at a level where it can compete with fully-developed free zones.

In the Zone, the total space allocated for investments is 371.000 square meters. Over 70 % of this area is already leased and operated by entrepreneurs. It is expected that this rate will reach 90 % by the end of 1999. In the Free Zone, 11.000 square meters of a total of 26.000 square meters of office space and warehouses belonging to the Treasury is leased and operated by entrepreneurs.

70 firms are currently operating in the Zone and 1.500 persons are employed. Presently, five other firms are continuing to construct their buildings.

In addition to a wharf with a depth of 10 m. and 218 m. in length within the boundaries of the Antalya Free Trade Zone, adjacent wharves of the port of Antalya which are linked to other important ports serve the Zone for maritime transport.

The State has spent approximately seven million dollars on the Zone's infrastructure and further development expenses since then. Turkish and foreign enterpreneurs have spent over twelve million dollars on superstructure, foreign investors accounting for 20 percent.

When we take a look at the trade figures of Antalya Free Zone we observe that the total trade volume which accounted for 15 million dollars in 1991, has reached 142 million dollars in 1996 and has augmented by 28 % reaching the level of 181 million dollars in 1997. In 1998, this figure has reached 170 million dollars, despite the crisis which took place in the world markets.

As a result, this steady upward trend clearly indicates that Antalya Free Trade Zone will achieve full capacity within the next year with its investments areas and its trade potential. On the other hand, while the main activity in the Zone was purchasing and selling for the first few years following its establishment, manufacturing activity has expanded rapidly in and took the first place over the past three years. As a result, the Zone has started to become a Processing Free Zone instead of a Free Trade Zone. In addition to the manufacturing of cable, textile, confection and electronic goods, high technology manufacture such as dialysis machines and tissue culture have now started in the Zone.

The rapid progress of Turkey's free trade zones, including the Antalya Free Zone, is being closely observed by neighbouring countries and especially developing countries which have not yet established their own free trade zones.

Connection to the Seaways

In addition to a wharf with a depth of 10 m. and 218 m. in length within the boundaries of the Antalya Free Trade Zone, it serves the region by linking it to the seaways via the immediately adjacent wharves of the port of Antalya.