Haber / Duyuru

The 17th SME Summit, organized by TOSYÖV in cooperation with TİM, TOBB, and KOSGEB, and supported by İOSB, KGF, TÜRMOB, and TÜRKSAT, with BÜDOTEK Technopark, Logo Yazılım, and MAİB as session sponsors and solution partners, and KobiEfor Magazine as the media sponsor and solution partner, was held in Istanbul under the main theme “Supply Chain Management Center Turkey.”

The traditional SME Summit—where roadmaps are drawn to provide SMEs across all fields of production, trade, and services with sustainable competitiveness—was once again held in Istanbul this year. Organized by TOSYÖV (Foundation of Small and Medium Enterprises, Self-Employed Professionals and Managers of Türkiye) in cooperation with TİM (Turkish Exporters Assembly), TOBB (Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye), and KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization); supported by İOSB (Istanbul İkitelli Organized Industrial Zone), KGF (Credit Guarantee Fund), TÜRMOB (Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants and Sworn-in Certified Public Accountants of Türkiye), and TÜRKSAT; with BÜDOTEK Technopark (Dudullu OIZ Boğaziçi University Technopark Inc.), Logo Yazılım, and MAİB (Machinery Exporters’ Association) as session sponsors and solution partners; and KobiEfor Magazine as media sponsor and solution partner, the 17th SME Summit was held in Istanbul with the main theme “Supply Chain Management Center Turkey.”

The 17th SME Summit, which brought together a cooperation platform including IKV (Economic Development Foundation), KAGİDER (Women Entrepreneurs Association of Türkiye), Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation, TBD (Turkish Informatics Association), TÜGİK (Turkish Young Businesspeople Confederation), TÜRKONFED (Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation), and UND (International Transporters Association), featured sessions following the opening speeches titled “Supply Chain (Problems and Solution Proposals),” “Support Provided to SMEs,” “Digital Transformation of SMEs,” and “Green Deal.” Representatives from public institutions, academia, the business world, NGOs, and SME executives discussed challenges in the supply chain, proposed solutions, and addressed the steps required for Türkiye to become a “Supply Chain Management Center.”

Green Deal

The Green Deal session was moderated by Yalçın Sönmez, Chairman of the Board of Kocaeli Alikahya OIZ, Owner of KobiEfor Magazine, and Former President of TOSYÖV. Sönmez stated: “Before recovering from the effects of the pandemic, we faced the climate crisis. This process represents a full transformation that changes paradigms in business and human relations. Whether we want it or not, we must overcome these conditions and adapt ourselves accordingly.”

Emphasizing that global warming resulting from the climate crisis has naturally disrupted all life, Sönmez reminded that Türkiye has approved the Paris Climate Agreement, noting that both public institutions and NGOs are carrying out various activities and initiatives to raise awareness. He stated that the new period brings new rules and constraints, and that if responsibilities are fulfilled within the framework of a sustainable circular economy, the risks and threats of this era can be turned into opportunities.

Highlighting that IKV’s guidance can be particularly instructive regarding the European Green Deal, Sönmez said: “Everyone has responsibilities for sustainable living. To adapt, we need to change, transform, and renew. Awareness within civil society organizations gives us hope. We are at the beginning of the road. Our bag is not empty—we have assets, but there are also areas where we are completely lacking. We will face new elements and standards, such as the Green Product Passport, which we will need to evaluate and use. It is a process full of risks and threats, but if we do what is required, it will become an opportunity for us.”