Turkey is investing heavily in mining, energy and defence, and many of these investments rely on foreign technology, equipment and expertise. For international suppliers, the opportunity is real, but so is the complexity: each sector has its own decision-makers, procurement habits and unwritten rules. Here is what you need to know before you start.
Mining: a resource-rich market looking for productivity
Turkey has a remarkably diverse mineral base, from boron, where it holds the large majority of the world’s known reserves, to chromium, copper, gold, coal and industrial minerals such as marble, feldspar and trona. Alongside state-owned producers, a large number of private mining companies of all sizes operate across the country.
- What buyers look for: Productivity, equipment uptime, safety and environmental compliance. Solutions for automation, fleet management, monitoring and occupational health and safety are in demand.
- How decisions are made: Site managers and maintenance teams have strong influence; owners and general managers sign off on larger investments. Field demonstrations and local references carry a lot of weight.
Oil, gas and energy: new projects, new demand
The discovery of the Sakarya gas field in the Black Sea, with first gas delivered in 2023 and further development phases under way, has given new momentum to Turkey’s upstream sector. Together with refining, petrochemicals, pipelines and a fast-growing renewables market, this creates demand for drilling services, equipment, inspection, digitalisation and engineering services.
Large state companies and major private groups run structured procurement processes. Being pre-qualified as a supplier, having the right certifications and working with an experienced local partner or representative are often prerequisites.
Chemicals: process know-how and reliable supply
The chemical industry is one of Turkey’s largest manufacturing sectors and still relies significantly on imported raw materials and technology. Suppliers of specialty chemicals, process technologies, equipment and automation can find receptive buyers, especially when they can offer local technical support and dependable supply.
Defence: localisation is the key word
Turkey’s defence and aerospace industry has grown rapidly, with exports passing 10 billion US dollars in 2025 for the first time. Policy strongly favours local production, so foreign suppliers usually succeed by partnering with Turkish companies rather than selling finished products directly.
- Work with the ecosystem: Prime contractors and their supply chains look for technology partners, sub-system suppliers and co-production opportunities.
- Understand industrial participation: Industrial participation and offset requirements can turn a foreign supplier into a valued partner for local firms.
- Show up where it matters: Trade fairs such as IDEF and SAHA EXPO in Istanbul are key meeting points for the industry.
- Be patient and discreet: Qualification takes time and confidentiality is essential.
Five rules that apply across all three sectors
- Target the right companies, not every company. A focused list of well-researched accounts beats mass outreach.
- Lead with field results. Case studies with measured outcomes from comparable sites are your strongest asset.
- Localise. Turkish-language materials and communication make a real difference, especially below board level.
- Combine channels. Email, LinkedIn, phone, trade fairs and industry associations work best together.
- Find the right local partner. In project-based sectors, local installation, service and support capability is often what decides the deal.
How mtc | labs helps
mtc | labs specialises in exactly these sectors: mining, oil and gas, chemicals, defence, software and hardware. We help international companies identify the right buyers and partners in Turkey, reach them under their own brand in Turkish and English, and turn interest into sales-ready meetings. And because we work with only one partner per industry, your market insights stay yours. Get in touch to explore your opportunities in Turkey.