Defense industry readying new export push

As part of a new Defense Industry Undersecretariat (SSM) push to boost Turkish exports, the SSM plans to better integrate the defense industry sector into international markets. Under a new strategy, the SSM will try to carve out a role for the Turkish defense sector in more international projects and raise its stake in ongoing projects. Hurdles facing defense industry firms are also addressed by the strategy, which calls for a state-subsidized low-interest loan mechanism to encourage the firms to participate in international projects and consortiums. Every two years the SSM will also draw up a list of countries and products considered to be priorities. An intensive marketing campaign will target foreign countries to increase awareness of the Turkish defense industry. Towards this end, the SSM will cooperate with the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat and update next year's list of foreign companies invited to export fairs. Under the strategy the SSM will also prepare to build fairgrounds near Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, while also working on enhanced branding. Delegations from top foreign markets will be invited at least once a month to Turkey to learn about products available from the domestic defense industry.