OIZ, R&D and Incentive Processes — Answers You Need

OIZ land is allocated based on the participant’s investment profile, sector fit and financial capacity — first as pre-allocation, then as formal allocation by Board of Directors resolution. Failure to commence investment, reach production or meet commitments within regulatory timelines can lead to revocation, which carries legal and criminal liability and must be managed with professional consulting.

OIZ decision-making bodies include the Founding Committee at inception, and the General Assembly, Board of Directors and Supervisory Board after registration. Duties and responsibilities are defined in Law No. 4562 and the OIZ Implementation Regulation. Non-compliant decisions can create personal legal and criminal liability for board members — regulatory compliance is therefore critical.

Green OIZ is a sustainability certification awarded by the Ministry of Industry and Technology based on energy efficiency, waste management, carbon footprint, water conservation and renewable energy criteria. The process includes application, self-assessment, on-site audit and scoring. It is strategically important for export-oriented OIZs given EU Green Deal alignment.

Under Law No. 5746, establishing an R&D Centre requires a sector-specific minimum number of full-time equivalent R&D personnel (15 in most sectors, 30 in some), dedicated physical space, technical infrastructure, a project portfolio and annual activity reports. An on-site inspection by the Ministry of Industry and Technology is followed by certification.

Law No. 5746 on Supporting R&D and Design Activities provides: R&D deduction (100% of eligible expenses deductible from corporate tax base), income tax withholding incentive, employer social security premium support, stamp duty exemption, customs duty exemption and contracted R&D deduction — creating substantial financial advantages.

R&D Centres focus on new knowledge generation, scientific interpretation and technological problem solving; Design Centres focus on industrial design, innovative product design, and aesthetic/functional innovation. Both benefit from comparable Law No. 5746 incentives but differ in activity scope and personnel profile.

Audits review person-month calculations, R&D eligibility of expense items, personnel records, project documentation and technical depth of annual activity reports. Pre-audit simulations, data-driven reporting and process digitalization enable early detection and resolution of risk findings.

Under Law No. 4691 on Technology Development Zones, companies conducting R&D, design and software activities within the zone enjoy income and corporate tax exemption, income tax withholding incentive, employer social security premium support, VAT exemption and stamp duty exemption. Exemptions are in effect until 31 December 2028.

A TDZ Managing Company is responsible for zone planning, infrastructure construction, operations, leasing, project approvals, exemption and audit tracking via the Technopark Portal, and ensuring entrepreneur compliance with legislation. Ministry audits also evaluate the managing company’s operational and financial performance.

The Technopark Portal is the Ministry-managed digital system through which project submissions, exemption certificates, personnel records and audit processes are operated for Technology Development Zones. Incorrect or incomplete submissions can trigger exemption losses and claw-back demands.

KOSGEB provides several grant-based and repayable support programmes for SMEs, including Entrepreneurship Support, R&D and Innovation Support, Strategic Product Support, SME Development Support Programme and KOBİGEL. Applicants must be registered in the KOSGEB database with an up-to-date SME Declaration.

TÜBİTAK 1501 Industrial R&D Projects Programme targets medium and large enterprises, while 1507 SME R&D Start-up Support targets SMEs within their first five R&D projects. The right programme depends on project profile, innovation level, sector and company size — applications must be supported with measurable outputs.

Grant programmes involve multi-layered eligibility, feasibility, business plan, financial projection, technical methodology and monitoring requirements. An incomplete or incorrect submission can trigger rejection — or even partial revocation and claw-back in successful projects. Professional consulting materially raises success rates.

The process follows five stages: free introductory call, needs analysis, scope and objective definition, roadmap preparation, implementation and monitoring. Each project includes an engineering-grade work plan, measurable outputs, regular reporting and audit-readiness practices.

The free introductory call is a non-binding 30-45 minute conversation in which we assess your current state, goals and potential consulting needs. You can request a meeting via the contact form or by calling +90 (506) 986 26 20.

Yes. ANT Management Consulting serves OIZs, R&D and Design Centres, Technopark managing companies and SMEs across all 81 provinces of Turkey through a hybrid (on-site + remote) delivery model.