The information and data processing technologies have shown remarkable development in recent years. To take part among the developed countries in the 21st Century, which is called the information age, depends upon our progress in the electronics and communication sectors and improvement of the competitiveness of the Turkish electronic industry by producing our own technology.

            The electronics sector, with its approximately $1 trillion world-wide market volume, promises to create the highest employment in the 21st century. Now, the electronics industry is not an industry branch anymore, but rather has become a basic and prolific industry itself developing all other industries.

            In Turkey the companies engaged in the manufacture of telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics have ample capacity to meet the local demand and even to export. Exports of electronic products showed a substantial rise especially after 1989. The electronics industry also made substantial progress in the design and in the development of technology. Today, the local content in the manufacture of many kinds of electronic equipment has attained high levels.

            The electronics industry in Turkey has developed sizeable capacity especially in two sub-sectors: consumer electronics and telecommunications. There are approximately 250 companies operating in the field of electronics. Most of them started business through foreign licence agreements. The licensors originate from the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, the USA, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Italy. A significant number of companies also have foreign capital.

            Consumer electronics and telecommunications equipment are the main export items. The total value of exports of electronics reached about $ 1.1 billion in 1999. This is mainly due to improvements in the quality of Turkish electronics. Turkish manufacturers are taking elements of non-price competition such as quality and service into account.

            The most important consumer electronics product is the colour TV. Colour TV exports were $674.5 million in 1999.

            Almost all colour TV exports were destined for the European Union countries in 1999 and show an ever-increasing tendency to gain significant market shares. In addition, the export performance of empty and full video bands is striking, owing to the high production technology and quality required. The important export markets for this product are the Russian Federation, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Greece and the USA.

            An increase is expected in the export of other consumer electronics in the near future with the introduction of new product lines such as high acoustic quality music sets using digital technology with remote control CD players which are available in the domestic market currently.

            In the Turkish electronics industry, positive developments in the telecommunications sub-sector, such as intensive infrastructural investments by Türk Telecom were reflected in the telecommunications sub-sector exports. In 1999 the export value of the telecommunications sub-sector reached $228.9 million. Meanwhile, export of telecommunications cables showed a significant increase. The total value of exports of telecommunications cables rose to $62.9 million in 1999. Turkey's market share in foreign markets for the hi-tech cables is increasing gradually. The top foreign markets for Turkish telecommunications cables are Germany, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation.

            The export performance of the young but dynamic Turkish electronics industry has been improving, especially over the last few years, with quality products at reasonable prices. Although present export value is not high on the global scale, it is believed that Turkish electronics will win significant market shares in foreign markets soon with their broad range of products, skilled craftsmanship, engineering quality and close ties with liberal economies.

            Recently, a large number of Turkish manufacturers have affixed the CE Mark to their products for export to the European Union. At the same time, Turkish manufacturers are closely following developments in international quality and environmental standards. The number of companies who have ISO 9000 certificates is even increasing.