Aegean Free Zone Development and Operating Co. (ESBAŞ) Chairman of the Executive Board, Dr. Faruk Güler stated that there was no change or delay in the investment plans of the Western Anatolia Free Zone to be established in the Bergama district of Izmir due to Covid-19. Stating that they will start to accept investors at the beginning of 2022, Güler said, “We continue to work with the Free Zones Overseas Investment and Services General Directorate with a total area of ​​2.4 million square meters in Aşağıkırıklar. The new free zone to be established here will both provide a great transportation advantage to the industrialists and develop the least developed districts of Izmir, Bergama, Kınık, and Dikili, and new job opportunities will be available directly to 20 thousand people and indirectly to 120 thousand people.”

“We Don’t Trouble the Investors”

Stating that the Software and IT Industrialists Cluster Association (YABISAK), which also includes the leading stakeholders of the city, is at the stage of establishment, Dr. Faruk Güler also added that the association aims to introduce the advantages of the city and to enable software developers to cluster here.

Expressing that the new generation of businesspeople do not want to deal with bureaucracy and construction for investment, Dr. Güler said, “We are working to prepare the areas for these people to invest in and offer them work and living spaces. We are always keeping the organization active and want it to be able to do whatever is needed for the investor and make an effort so that the investor does not deal with anything other than its investment and business.”

Normalization in June

Explaining the goal of ESBAŞ as being one of the best free zones in the world and adding that they have shaped all their work around this goal, Dr. Faruk Güler said, “Our region, where 20 thousand 500 people are employed, will enter the normalization process in June. We will work by paying attention to our social distancing in all our activities.”