The impact of free zones on foreign trade: measuring the causes of investing firms in Bursa Free Zone

Free trade zones are special realms which are free from the quotas and restrictions on foreign trade that states apply as well as being beneficial to firms.Free trade zones can help countries to have the edge over in global trade with advantages they provide.During 1980s free zone implementations have been tried in Turkey but became no success. After 1985, free zone implementation studies improved. By the legislation enacted in 1985, first foundations of free zones have been laid. Providing many tax exemption and inactive regulations formed in specified zones, free zones are becoming more important. In the first part of the study the definitions and information of free zones are examined.In the second part, the effect of free trade zones on foreign trade and the concept of foreign trade definitions and information given.In the third and final part of the study, the reasons for investing to firms in the bursa free zone over expectation and coverage rates tested. According to results obtained from the study; It was seen that there was a significant difference between expectation and coverage rates of the companies regarding the benefit of tax advantages (p: 0,00 <0,05). It was found that there was a significant difference between the expectation and coverage rates of the companies in terms of using the incentives applied in the free zones (p: 0.00 <0.05). It was seen that there was a meaningful difference between the expectation and coverage rates of the companies regarding the availability of infrastructure and transportation facilities (p: 0,00 <0,05). It was seen that there was a meaningful difference between the expectation and coverage rates of the firms in obtaining advantages in opening to foreign markets (p: 0,00 <0,05). It was seen that there was a meaningful difference between the expectation and the coverage rates of the firms regarding the availability of cheap labor and raw material facilities (p: 0.00 <0.05). It was seen that there was a meaningful difference between the expectation and coverage rate of the firms in providing prestige to the firm (p: 0,00 <0,05). It was seen that there was a meaningful difference between the expectation and coverage rates of firms in terms of utilizing domestic sales opportunities from free zones (p: 0.00 <0.05).When we look at all these results, it is seen that firms have high expectation rates and low coverage rates for investment reasons.