A New Era at SAHA Istanbul: Muttalip Tütüncü Appointed Secretary General
Playing a central role in Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative and in the global competitiveness of the country’s defence industry, SAHA Istanbul, Europe’s largest industrial cluster, has made a significant change in line with its strategies and growth targets for the new era. Muttalip Tütüncü, who has 15 years of senior-level experience in international investment diplomacy and strategic industrial cooperation, has been appointed Secretary General of SAHA Istanbul.
With many years of experience in investment development, international cooperation, foreign direct investment and stakeholder management in the defence, aerospace and space sectors, Tütüncü will lead the cluster’s work in the new era.
In the new era, priority areas will include expanding SAHA Istanbul member companies’ access to new business opportunities, strengthening business development mechanisms and further enhancing their effectiveness in international markets. In this context, the aim is to develop programmes that support and accelerate SMEs’ participation in global value chains, as well as strategic partnerships and international cooperation models.
About Muttalip Tütüncü
Before being appointed Secretary General of SAHA Istanbul, Muttalip Tütüncü held various positions within the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye for approximately 15 years. From 2019 onwards, as Project Manager responsible for the Defence and Aerospace Sector, he led national and international activities aimed at attracting international investment to Türkiye’s defence and aerospace sector; at the same time, he carried out work to develop strategies supporting the integration of the Turkish defence and aerospace industry into global supply chains.
During his tenure at the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Tütüncü managed investment projects from various markets, particularly the Gulf countries, and contributed to the development of investment and economic cooperation by building high-level relationships with national and international stakeholders. From 2014 to 2016, he also served as Executive Coordinator of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), when Türkiye held the presidency. In this role, he oversaw WAIPA’s institutional and budgetary audit processes and managed the relocation of WAIPA’s headquarters from Geneva to Istanbul.
Continuing to contribute to sectoral and academic literature, Tütüncü is the author of “Turkish Warfare Systems”, a book examining the products and capabilities of the Turkish defence industry. He has taught courses on investment, defence industry exports and diplomacy at the School of Defence Industry and Security within the Türkiye Research Foundation. Tütüncü has also translated books in various fields from English into Turkish and is proficient in English and Arabic. He holds bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Business Administration, and is married with three children.
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