Mega American chemical firm DuPont has now joined the ranks of other foreign companies that are using the incentives offered in Turkey to set up the nation as their research and development base. DuPont has now opened an innovation center in Turkey, marking their first such center in the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.

The American company, which has 70,000 employees, will be transforming Istanbul into an innovation center. Speaking at the opening of their 11th innovation center worldwide, DuPont Protection Technologies President Thomas G. Powell stated that the brand, which works with 10,000 scientists, will be exhibiting fast growth in Turkey.

2.1 billion dollars for R&D

According to Investment Support Agency President İlker Aycı, the fact that DuPont, which has designated an annual budget of 2.1 billion dollars to R&D, has selected Turkey as a base is a significant step in terms of branding. "We will see in the days to come just how correct this decision was by DuPont to invest in the region which has embarked on a new era of restructuring following the Arab Spring." DuPont, which already has activities in 12 business units in Turkey, will now be operating an innovation center with a staff of 200.

This is a translation of an article originally written by Kerim Ülker.