KOSGEB provides significant grants and support loans for establishing and sustaining various business lines. Through KOSGEB transporter grants and loans, important support is offered to those who want to operate in the transportation sector.
What Is the KOSGEB Transporter Support?
KOSGEB, affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, continues to support entrepreneurs and the expansion of existing businesses. Many entrepreneurs take advantage of these supports to start businesses or grow their operations. One category of support covers services in the transportation sector. Known under NACE codes, KOSGEB transport grants are offered as Transporter and Truck Driver Supports.
To receive a grant from KOSGEB, it is important that the business activity is among the fields defined by the institution. Within the areas KOSGEB supports, transport and storage-related activities are listed and backed with specific programs and funding.
Beneficiaries must meet the required conditions and present a qualifying project tied to the appropriate NACE code. Support is provided under several codes: H 49 for road and pipeline transport, H 32 for taxi transport, H 3 for other road transport activities, and H 4 for road freight transport and transport services. These classifications allow entrepreneurs in the transport and logistics industry to access substantial funding when their projects align with the specified codes.
What Does the KOSGEB Transporter Support Cover?
However, receiving a KOSGEB grant requires meeting specific criteria. While KOSGEB provides grants for passenger and freight transport under NACE classifications, not every transport activity qualifies. For instance, taxi operations in areas where taxis are easily available generally do not receive grant support.
Standard taxi operations using existing vehicles are typically not covered. KOSGEB evaluates and funds applications that introduce new service concepts or project models that customers will prefer and that add innovation to the taxi sector.
The same principle applies to freight transport. Applicants seeking support for freight services must present a project that differs from conventional business models. Projects that introduce innovative approaches or open new market opportunities in transport are eligible, while routine freight methods usually do not qualify for grants.
Nonetheless, if the project involves transporting goods between factories, warehouses, or stores with a defined business volume and the project plan documents this need, KOSGEB may provide grant funding to establish or scale the operation. Such grants can be used for setting up the workplace or covering other operational costs associated with running the transport business.
Obtaining a Transporter Loan
If you cannot obtain a KOSGEB grant suitable for your transport business, the Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen can be an alternative. The chamber can act as a guarantor and assist truck drivers and transport operators in accessing credit. Loans obtained this way can be used for vehicle purchases, vehicle maintenance, personnel expenses, and other operating costs.
Loans facilitated through Halkbank typically require an acceptable credit score and membership in a cooperative, with another cooperative member acting as guarantor. Additional collateral may be requested when necessary, and if a vehicle is purchased with the loan, the vehicle itself may serve as collateral. While KOSGEB does not directly provide loans, cooperative and chamber-backed financing options are available. These loans often come with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms, making them useful for starting or expanding a transport business.