With a centuries-old industrial base, Bursa now benefits from multinationals nearshoring production in response to global supply chain de-risking.
City Class Score
| Commercial Hubs | |
| Export Champions | |
| Mobility Connectors | |
| Climate Resilient |
Corporate HQs, MNC presence, branded outlets, hotels, manufacturing, start-up ecosystem, transport linkages, population, and income.
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Manufacturing, industrial parks, export share and share change by category, air and port infrastructure, freight time to market, trade agreements, and expert interviews.
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Passenger traffic, flight connectivity, air-cargo flights, port infrastructure, container ship sailings, and major road networks.
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Coastal and river flooding, extreme rain, extreme heat and humidity, cyclones, and water scarcity.
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Nestled among green mountains and not far from the busy metropolis of Istanbul, Bursa has a long industrial pedigree. The city was a center of silk production as far back as Byzantine Emperor Justinian’s rule in the sixth century, and potentially even earlier, given its location on the historic Silk Road. It has long served as a stopping place for travelers and merchants heading to the East. The famed Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta passed through as he journeyed to India and China. His 1355 book “The Rihla” described the city’s bazaars as “admirably planned,” with “each craft having a bazaar of its own.”
Bursa’s modern industrial history predates China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, but the city struggled to compete with China’s hyper-efficient manufacturers and explosive export growth. Nevertheless, Bursa is benefiting once again as multinationals seek to move production closer to their largest markets — in this case, Europe — in response to global supply chain disruption and the need for resilience. Sourcing executives recognize that the city and country are natural options. While Bursa isn’t the only one of Turkey’s industrial cities that rank high on our index, it is a national leader.
A tour of Bursa’s industrial districts features automotive, textile, food processing, machinery, and chemicals factories. The city is home to the headquarters of 32 of the country’s largest companies, including domestic automotive champions such as Karsan and Coskunoz Holding. It also is a hotspot for global players. The German industrial giant Bosch has multiple factories there producing automotive parts. The Swiss food and drink multinational Nestlé produces a range of confectioneries in its local factories. Major Chinese players are also arriving, with one of the country’s leading battery manufacturers, Farasis Energy, having already invested in the city, and Chinese electric vehicle players showing interest.
Bursa ranks high as both a global and Middle Eastern export champion due to its proximity to Europe, with road freight between the city and Frankfurt taking just two days. Bursa also has easy access to major ports in Gemlik and Istanbul, as well as air cargo at Istanbul’s international airport, all providing manufacturers a wealth of logistics options. The country’s customs union with Europe is also a major attraction for foreign investors, along with smaller free trade agreements with the Gulf Cooperation Council and South Korea, all contributing to the country’s high ranking in our index.
