About
Founded in 2005 through a strategic partnership between the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye and 137 regional Chambers and Commodity Exchanges, (GTİ) Customs and Tourism Enterprises Trade Inc., is a pioneer in modernizing Türkiye’s border gates using the innovative Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
GTİ's journey began with the transformation of the Habur Border Gate and has since expanded to include the modernization of key border posts such as Kapıkule, Sarp, Hamzabeyli, Cilvegözü, Dilucu, Esendere, Çıldır-Aktaş, Kapıköy, Türkgözü, and Pazarkule. Additionally, GTİ has enhanced the Nusaybin and Muratbey Customs Directorates, improving operational efficiency and infrastructure.
As the world’s first and only entity to implement the Build-Operate-Transfer model for land border gate modernization, GTİ continues to lead the way in transforming Türkiye’s borders into state-of-the-art transit hubs, driving seamless global connectivity and accelerating future projects across the country.
The border gates are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including duty-free shops, tax-free fuel stations, temporary warehouses, customs offices, food and beverage areas, foreign exchange bureaus, and insurance agencies, ensuring that all passenger needs are met with the highest standards of service. In this framework, GTİ is responsible for the operation of the commercial areas, while all administrative functions such as customs and passport control remain under the jurisdiction of the relevant public institutions and authorities.
As part of the extensive modernization of Türkiye’s customs gates, GTİ has developed a comprehensive range of infrastructure, including administrative and commercial buildings, entry and exit control units, search hangars, contraband storage facilities, platforms, weighbridges, social areas, and truck (TIR) parks.
To ensure the highest levels of security and efficiency, cutting-edge technologies have been implemented, such as X-ray vehicle scanning systems, card access control systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance, under-vehicle monitoring systems, and license plate recognition systems—all at the forefront of modern security standards. These strategic investments, all fully financed by GTİ.
Beyond shouldering the substantial financial burden of border gate modernization, GTİ has also become a key driver of economic growth, generating additional tax revenues, and boosting foreign trade by enhancing efficiency at critical border crossings. Through these innovations, waiting times at border gates have been dramatically reduced from hours to mere minutes, effectively eliminating long vehicle queues that once stretched for kilometers. As a result, the efficiency of vehicle and passenger transit has increased fourfold, enabling the seamless movement of 8.5 million vehicles and over 26 million passengers annually.
The key objectives of the modernization projects implemented by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye and GTİ at border gates are:
- Enhancing the flow of traffic and reducing congestion
- Accelerating customs processing times for greater efficiency
- Strengthening efforts to combat illicit trafficking of goods and people
- Providing services that meet the highest international standards
- Positively reshaping the image of border gates, while promoting Türkiye globally