The contribution of regional development agencies to regional development: A case study of BAKA (West Mediterranean DevelopmentAgency)

In this thesis study titled "The Contribution of Regional Development Agencies to Regional Development: A Case Study of BAKA (West Mediterranean Development Agency)," I have compared the establishment and evolution of the West Mediterranean Development Agency (BAKA), which began its operations with the Law No. 5549 published in 2006 as part of the mid-term regulatory requirements set out in the Accession Partnership Document of Turkey during its accession process to the European Union, with examples of Development Agencies in the world, the European Union, and developed economies. I have analyzed the establishment, functioning, legal and technical structures, and types of support of Development Agencies in Turkey, and specifically examined the activities, technical and legal infrastructure, and all the support provided by BAKA, which was established for the Antalya, Isparta, and Burdur provinces by the Council of Ministers on July 14, 2009, among the 26 Development Agencies in Turkey, from its establishment to the end of 2023, based on official data from 2010 to 2022, using the Porter model. By examining the sector scans and analyses conducted by BAKA in Antalya, Isparta, Burdur, and their districts, and the sector evaluations and technical reports resulting from these analyses, within the framework of the Five-Year Development Plans, I have evaluated the activities of the identified sectors and areas supported financially by profit-oriented and non-profit organizations, highlighting their benefits to the regional economy and development. I have also presented views and suggestions regarding the activities of BAKA from a business and operational perspective. The purpose of conducting such a doctoral thesis on the Regional Development Agency BAKA is to evaluate the significance of the activities of BAKA for Antalya, Isparta, and Burdur provinces in the West Mediterranean region, by examining the impact and benefits of the new Development Agencies in our country from a technical and scientific perspective, during my tenure as a member of the Development Board since its establishment.