The domestic production and technology transfer of subway and railway vehicles, escalators, signalization systems
Indicative Return:
Investment Timeframe
Market Size
Ticket Size
“The technology transfer and domestic production of subway and railway vehicles Alternative: The technology transfer and domestic producton of subway escalators for new subway routes Alternative: The technology transfer and domestic production of railway and subway signalization systems “
Expected ImpactThis IOA will optimize passenger and freight transportation across the country by promoting the domestic production of electric vehicles and signalization infrastructure.
Development need: In 2020, Turkey ranked 47th (out of 160) in the Logistics Performance Index after being ranked 34th in 2016.(1) Connections between industrial facilities, ports and railway systems are not adequately developed. To improve competitiveness, Turkey needs to reduce logistics costs and develop combined transportation modes with higher shares of railway and maritime transportation.(2)
“Policy priority: The government has an objective to improve an integrated transportation infrastructure covering all modes of transportation. The infrastructure is planned to ensure maximum traffic safety and serve all segments of society with a sustainable and uninterrupted transportation system. (3) ”
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues: Transport is a male-dominated sector, female participation in the transport sector is around 10% in Turkey. Additionally, inadequate transport infrastructure impacts women’s access to work and education/skills-improvement, especially in rural areas. (15) Investments in transport infrastructure to incorporate new cities in the Turkish supply chain will decrease regional economic disparities
Investment opportunities: The total public investment in transportation is planned as 25 billion TRY (3.7 billion USD) with the largest shares going to railways (43%), highways (27%) and intracity transportation (23%).(4)
Key bottlenecks: Under-investment in transportation infrastructure poses supply-chain constraints for the exchange of products and services. As the population expands, the existing transportation infrastructure may be rendered insufficient. If transportation infrastructure is not developed, this will cause further issues in traffic congestion and reflect negatively on SDG 11.
“Development need: Despite improvements in the logistics and transportation infrastructure in highways, there is still siginificant need to focus on cargo transportation and railway mode in transportation investments.There is a need to optimize freight transportation times and costs, provide uninterrupted services for citizens and opt for more environmentally friend modes of transportation ”
Policy priority: Turkey has an objective to complete 2,028 km for High-Speed Trains and 228 km conventional networks for passenger and freight transport. (5)
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues: Transport is a male-dominated sector, female participation in the transport sector is around 10% in Turkey. Additionally, inadequate transport infrastructure impacts women’s access to work and education/skills-improvement, especially in rural areas. (15) Investments in transport infrastructure to incorporate new cities in the Turkish supply chain will decrease regional economic disparities
Investment opportunities: A variety of incentives are available for large scale investments in this area. Investments in the domestic manufacturing of railway and tram locomotive parts benefit from Region I, II, III, IV, V and VI incentives
Key bottlenecks: Some of the bottlenecks include the physical conditions of the surrounding landscape where subway and trainlines are constructed. There are operational obstacles as the subsidies offered to TCDD (the state railways) might crowd-out the private sector. Moreover, this investment area is highly regulated.
Critical IOA Unit
“Turkey’s annual railway vehicle market size is 5 billion EUR. (6) With local production, the domestic market in Turkey is estimated to reach 20 billion EUR. (6)”
Interviewed investors active in the Turkish railways market target an IRR at the 12-20% level from investments in the field.
Establishing the complex production facilities of domestic subway and railway vehicles, signalization systems and subway escalators as well as meeting the domestic demand and developing a competitive potential in the international market is likely to happen in the medium to long-term timeframe.
“There is a need for electric locomotives and signalization systems in Turkey as there is an objective to reach 80-90% in electric railway systems. Currently, only 80 out of 400 locomotives are electric in Turkey. (7). ”
On average, an electric locomotive releases 20% to 35% less carbon per passenger mile than a diesel train. (8)
The share of railway transportation for passenger and freight transport is below the EU-28 average. (9)
The domestic manufacturing of railway systems can increase female employment share in the industry. The % of women employed in the industry (defined as mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and public utilities) is at a mere 15.8% while the percentage of men in this sector is at 29.7% (16).
“Optimize passenger and freight transportation across the country by improving domestic production of electric vehicles and signalization infrastructure and provide an uninterrupted and sustainable mode of transportation, which is particularly vital vis-a-vis the COVID-19 outbreak.”
“Reduce fuel emissions from highway freight transportation as on average, railroads are 4 times more fuel efficient than trucks, meaning that freight transportation through railways reduces GHG emissions by 75% compared to moving freight through trucks. (10)”
Improve Turkey’s intra-city transportation infrastructure and promote sustainable modes of transportation by responding to the need for nearly 10,000 new vehicles for the operation of the new underground transportation routes that are due to be in service by 2023 in Turkey. (11)
Reduce travel times / increase access to transport for female, rural, inmigrant population
Increase female employment in the industry sector
8.4.1 Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
Current Level16 tonnes per capita (12)
9.1.2 Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport
9.b.1 Proportion of medium and high-tech industry value added in total value added
Current LevelRailway passengers carried: 4.39 billion passenger-km (12)
31.45% (12)
11.2.1 Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities
The initial efforts to transfer technology may rely heavily on public support, pressuring public finances.
Impact Risks“Execution Risk
Efficiency Risk”
Impact Classification
B—Benefit Stakeholders
Reduced share of highway in transport.
The business model will benefit especially the urban population with affordable and safe transportation needs.
Medium Risk (The initial phase of technology transfer may result in higher prices and technical/infrastructural disruptions.)
(Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure 2019-2023 Strategic Plan): From the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure 2019-2023 Strategic Plan: There is an objective to increase the railway network and intracity rail systems.
(11th Development Plan): From the 11th Development Plan: (3) 334.1. The share of railways in modes of national territorial transport systems will be increased from 5.15 percent to 10 percent.
(2019-2023 Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Industry and Technology): The 2019-2023 Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Industry and Technology stresses the importance of supporting Turkey’s intermodal transport infrastructure to address the inefficiencies of the national supply chain
Financial incentives: As part of the nationalization and local production efforts, loans from state banks can be received with favorable conditions. Credits from international banks with affordable LIBOR interest are also available with guarantees from the Treasury. (6)
Fiscal incentives: Regional investment and project-based incentives by the Ministry of Industry and Technology include: VAT exemption, customs duty exemption, tax deduction, social security premium support, interest/profit share support, VAT returns for investments above 500 million TRY. (14)
Other incentives: The Ministry of Industry and Technology and The Development and Investment Bank of Turkey established “The Technology and Innovation Fund” under the Turkey Development Fund to finance innovative tech. based companies/projects with a budget of 350 million TRY.
PRIVATE SECTOR
Companies such as Durmazlar and Bozankaya, companies that dominate international markets such as Hyundai Rotem, CAF, Mitsubishi, Siemens, Stadler, Hitachi, Alstom, Bombardier, CRRC, ABB
GOVERNMENT
Municipalities, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Turkish State Railways, Railway Systems Association (RSD)
MULTILATERALS
EBRD
NON-PROFIT
Association of Rail Transport Systems and Industrialists (RAYDER).
SECTOR SOURCES
IOA SOURCES
6) Survey filled out by Istanbul Metro AŞ.
7) Statement by TOBB Transportation Council Member.
9) Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.
10) Association of American Railroads, 2019. Freight Railroads Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
11) Survey filled out by Istanbul Metro AŞ, 2020.
13) Security General Directorate, Traffic Department. Statistics.
14) Anadolu Agency, 26.01.2020. Turkey’s railway vehicle exports rise 147%.
15) European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Transportation Strategy 2019-2024,