Regional growth dynamics: Local economic growth factors in Gaziantep province

In this study, in order to determine the dynamics affecting the regional economic development of Gaziantep, economic development level and effective factors in the province?s economic development in the light of new growth theories were brought out.Intensity of foreign trade, innovations, industrial employment, density of SME, SME incentives, capacity of enterprises, population dynamics and education were effective factors in economic growth of Gaziantep. Gaziantep, takes part in the same group with Bursa and Kocaeli provinces in accordance with economic growth level.The fact that the indication of vocational and technical training are low and that the high informal employment figures are the main problems of the province.Spreading vocational and technical training in order to improve the quality of employment, applying employment based local incentives for decreasing informal employment, developing agricultural industry by SME contribution to the economy of province, increasing contribution of Gaziantep to the regional economy, encouraging the functional food industry, developing R&D studies and improving cooperation among SME would all contribute to the development of the region.Key Words: regional economic development, local economic growth, Gaziantep