The Ministry of Industry and Technology has revised the evaluation criteria for projects applying to benefit from financial facilities provided through intermediary banks. The updated regulations, published in the Official Gazette, outline new requirements and processes for securing ministry approval before seeking bank financing.
New Scope for Eligible Projects
Under the updated communiqué, only projects that align with the Türkiye Yüzyılı Development Initiative, the project-based state aid program for investments, or those included in the annexed strategic priority product list or technology areas list will be eligible to apply for financing.
Specifically, applications can be submitted for projects aimed at:
Producing goods within the strategic priority product list
Developing technologies listed in the priority technology areas
Manufacturing systems based on these technologies
Using these technologies intensively in production processes
This adjustment is designed to ensure that financial support is directed toward projects with high technological value and strategic relevance to Türkiye’s long-term industrial policy.
Two-Stage Application Process
Investors seeking financing under this program must first obtain an evaluation from the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Once approved, they will receive a TSP Certificate (issued by the Technical Committee) confirming their project’s eligibility.
With this certificate in hand, investors can then apply to the designated intermediary banks for financing.
Key points include:
Maximum of two revisions allowed for updating the TSP Certificate
A minimum of six months between revision requests
No change in the minimum investment threshold: projects must still meet the ₺1 billion total investment value, including R&D expenses, and the ₺50 million equity or paid-in capital requirement as recorded in the most recent fiscal year balance sheet
No Interest or Profit Share Support
The communiqué clarifies that investors approved for the financing program will not receive any interest or profit share support for payments arising from these loans, even if they hold an incentive certificate under the relevant state aid programs. This marks a significant shift from some earlier financing schemes where interest support was available.
Transitional Provisions for Existing Projects
A temporary clause allows projects that have already received an incentive certificate or strategic investment incentive certificate under the Technology-Oriented Industry Move Program—in accordance with the now-repealed Council of Ministers Decision No. 2012/3305—to still apply for ministry evaluation, provided the application is made after the date this revised communiqué comes into effect.
Strategic Context
The updated criteria reflect Türkiye’s push to direct financial resources toward high-impact, technology-driven sectors in line with national industrial policy goals. By narrowing eligibility to projects that produce or utilize advanced technologies in strategic areas, the Ministry aims to maximize the long-term economic and innovation returns from its financing programs.
Analysts note that while the stricter requirements may limit the number of eligible applicants, they are likely to improve the quality and strategic relevance of funded projects—particularly in high-tech manufacturing, advanced materials, and digital infrastructure sectors.
