İHKİB and Bilişim Vadisi Join Forces to Boost the Competitiveness of the Turkish Fashion Industry
The Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB) and Bilişim Vadisi Teknokent A.Ş. have signed a cooperation protocol to enhance the global competitiveness of the Turkish fashion industry. Under this protocol, the two parties will develop projects and work packages that add value to the sector, focusing primarily on twin transformation, sustainability, the circular economy, and design.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, İHKİB Vice President Mustafa Paşahan reminded attendees that Türkiye is the world’s seventh-largest and the European Union’s third-largest supplier of apparel. He stated that Türkiye accounts for 3.2% of global apparel exports and continued:
“We are a brand country in apparel production. With our high-quality, fast, and flexible production capacity and our strategic geographical location, we stand out from our competitors. We have reached European standards in recycling, reducing carbon footprints, digitalization, and social compliance. To further boost our competitiveness in global markets, we aim to build on our existing advantages and turn digital and green transformation into opportunities. In this process, we are effectively utilizing EU funds through projects prepared within the scope of IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance). So far, we have been eligible to use €37 million in EU grants. We successfully completed our METAMORPHOSIS project, prepared under IPA-2, this past February. One of the key components of the project, the Digital Transformation Center, is now serving the industry. We also launched our new EU-funded project, MIDAS, last month. Through this initiative, we will provide the necessary infrastructure for twin transformation to SME-scale manufacturers. Additionally, we will begin the ‘Monitoring and Reducing Carbon Footprint’ project this year, again with EU funding. I firmly believe that our collaboration with Bilişim Vadisi will result in numerous projects, especially in digitalization and green transformation, that will strengthen the competitiveness of our fashion industry in global markets.”
ERKAM TÜZGEN: BRINGING STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER IN THE SAME ECOSYSTEM
Bilişim Vadisi CEO Erkam Tüzgen also commented:
“Next-generation textile technologies are being shaped not only by major players but also by creative startups. Through this program, we are bringing young entrepreneurs, designers, and technology developers together in the same ecosystem. Bilişim Vadisi will continue to serve as a catalyst at this intersection.”
Under the protocol, the parties will apply for national and international support programs related to digitalization, green transformation, sustainability, the circular economy, and creative industries. They will develop joint projects and work packages aligned with the strategic goals of the technology and design sectors. By forming solution partnerships in digital transformation and design processes—including their affiliates and stakeholders—they will support one another. They will collaborate in structures such as digitalization and design clustering centers. Additionally, startups in Bilişim Vadisi will be provided with opportunities to grow through collaborations with İHKİB members.
