Despite being within the political boundaries of the country, free zones, defined as “free zones” in the literature, are areas established near international ports or airports that fall outside the current commercial and economic legal rules and regulations, or some of them, and are not included in the customs line.

Free zones are special areas where imported commercial products can be brought in, stored, processed for production purposes, or for various reasons, without customs duties. In these zones, trade and legal restrictive factors are minimized.

In free zones, different incentives are applied to industrial and commercial activities, aiming to increase international trade, activities oriented towards exports, foreign exchange inflows, and foreign capital investments. Free trade zones also aim to provide a competitive advantage for local producers in world markets and to create different business sectors, thus increasing employment.

The increase in employment and foreign exchange income, the development of imports and exports targeted by free zones, are of great importance for enriching the cultural aspect of the region where they are located and for the economic development of countries.

The concept of a free zone offers significant advantages, especially for countries experiencing employment problems and economic fluctuations, such as Turkey. It is known that the number of people employed in free zones in Turkey is over 46,000. Serving as a bridge between Asia and Europe in international trade, Turkey, with its 21 free zones, is currently providing significant economic benefits by using the advantage of its geographical location. Rather than increasing the number of free zones in the coming years, the goal is to use existing free zones more effectively, increase their capacity and efficiency.

FREE ZONES IN TURKEY:
The 21 free zones currently operating in Turkey are listed as follows: Adana-Yumurtalık, Aegean, Antalya, European, Bursa, Denizli, Eastern Anatolia, Gaziantep, Istanbul Specialty, Istanbul Leather and Industry, Istanbul Stock Exchange, Istanbul Thrace, Izmir Menemen Leather, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Mardin, Mersin, Rize, Samsun, Trabzon, TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center Technology Free Zone. The name of Istanbul Atatürk Airport was changed to Istanbul Specialty in 2020.

ADVANTAGES PROVIDED BY FREE TRADE ZONES:

Free trade zones offer advantages in terms of labor and land costs.
They provide the opportunity for cost-free transfer of income from international trade.
They provide exemption from customs duties, income tax, corporate tax, and bank transaction taxes.
They offer free use for any currency that can be converted.
They provide freedom in foreign trade, overcoming legal restrictions.
There is no time limit for any product to stay in the free zone.
There is no strike and lockout ban in free zones.
There is no restriction on foreign capital participation in free zones.
Free zones are attractive and modern places in terms of working conditions and infrastructure.
In free zones, all companies benefit equally from all rights without any prerequisites.