Taiwan-based shoe manufacturer Pou Chen is seeking wage incentives from Türkiye as part of its plan to invest $100 million in a new factory there.
The President of Türkiye’s Footwear Manufacturers Association, Berke Icten, stated that a leading Taiwanese footwear company is evaluating investment opportunities in Türkiye.
After visiting Taiwan last week and holding talks with the company, Icten remarked, “If they establish a production facility in Türkiye, the initial output could reach a minimum of 10,000 pairs of shoes daily.”
According to policy-focused sabah.com, Icten highlighted recent discussions with Türkiye’s Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting local manufacturers.
Icten stated, “Our minister shares our belief in protecting domestic producers. New regulations concerning footwear imports are on the way.”
Icten also noted Minister Bolat’s assurance that the Ministry of Trade would provide the necessary support and incentives to facilitate investment from the Pou Chen Group, the Taiwanese company in question.
Potential shoe factory sites in Thrace region
Icten said Pou Chen is currently researching several factors influencing their decision.
“They are evaluating whether manufacturing in Türkiye would be advantageous, particularly considering how U.S. trade policies might shift if Trump returns to power. They are also inquiring about Türkiye’s incentives and support for foreign investors due to concerns over the minimum wage,” he explained.
Pou Chen is considering Thrace—specifically areas like Corlu, Esenyurt, or Silivri—for its new factory because of its proximity to ports and transport networks. The company is also exploring potential government incentives based on the scale of its $100 million investment.
Icten noted representatives from the Taiwan-based company are anticipated to visit Türkiye in the coming days to meet with the Ministry of Trade and further explore investment opportunities.
Pou Chen, a Taiwan-based footwear giant valued at $4 billion, is the primary manufacturer for top global sports shoe brands such as Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Salomon and Asics. With over 14 factories worldwide and a workforce of 280,000 employees, the company produces more than 500 million pairs of shoes annually.
