DESBAŞ – Istanbul Leather Free Zone Founder and Operator Joint Stock Company is established in 1991 with the partnership of 127 different entities from the leather sector.
With the Cabinet Decision of 92/2778 in 1992, 88.000 m2 land left to DESBAŞ by Istanbul Kazlıçeşme Organized Leather Industrialists Association has been designated as free zone land.
With the Cabinet Decision of 93/4181 in 1993, DESBAŞ has been authorized to establish and operate the Istanbul Leather Free Zone.
The first commercial transaction in the Free Zone was held on 29.03.1995 by Can Tekstil San. ve Tic. AŞ and Free Zone started its operations.
In the first establishment, the free zone activity subjects, which were determined mainly in leather, were opened to all sectors in line with the Free Zone requirement that Istanbul and its surroundings can use for general purposes By the decision of the High Planning Council in 06.02.1996.
In 1996, the free zone was opened to companies from all sectors without any limitation.
The official opening ceremony of the free zone was held in 31.07.1997 and the opening was honored by the participation of President Mr. Süleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mr. Mesut Yılmaz and Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Bülent Ecevit.
Our free zone region reached a trade volume of 5,770,481,232.00 USD in 2004.
The Istanbul Leather Free Zone (Istanbul Industrial and Trade Free Zone) expanded its existing 88,000 m2 land by 26,000 m2 in 1995, 72,000 m2 in 1998, 263,000 m2 in 2003, 85,000 m2 in 2004 and 6,000 m2 in 2011, reaching a gross area of 540,000 m2.
The highest trade volume seen in Istanbul Industrial and Trade Free Zone was realized in 2006 with 6,796,504,765.00 USD.
Our company title has been changed to DESBAŞ – Istanbul Industry and Trade Free Zone Founder and Operator Inc.- in 2011.