The collaboration between İHKİB and Bilişim Vadisi will focus on the development of projects and work packages that will contribute to the Turkish apparel industry, with an emphasis on twin transformation, sustainability, circular economy, and design.
Both organisations will seek national and international support programmes that concentrate on digitalisation, green transformation, sustainability, circular economy, and creative industries.
The partners intend to create projects and work packages that align with strategic goals within technology and design sectors, forming solution-oriented partnerships with affiliates and stakeholders in the areas of digital transformation and design processes.
Additionally, they plan to collaborate through initiatives such as digitalisation and design clustering centres. Entrepreneurs from Bilişim Vadisi will have the opportunity to expand their businesses through partnerships with members of İHKİB.
Bilişim Vadisi general manager Erkam Tüzgen said: “Next-generation textile technologies are being driven not only by major players but also by creative start-ups. Through this programme, we are bringing together young entrepreneurs, designers, and technology developers within a shared ecosystem. Bilişim Vadisi will continue to act as a catalyst at this intersection of technology and design.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, İHKİB vice president Mustafa Paşahan highlighted Türkiye’s role as one of the largest apparel suppliers globally, accounting for 3.2% of worldwide apparel exports.
Paşahan said: “We already comply with European standards in areas such as recycling, carbon footprint reduction, digitalisation, and social compliance. To further strengthen our position in global markets, we aim to build on these existing strengths and turn digital and green transformation into key opportunities. In this process, we are making effective use of EU funds through projects developed under the IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance). So far, we have secured €37m ($42.25m) in EU funding.”
İHKİB will use EU’s funding to initiate a 'Carbon Footprint Tracking and Reduction' project later in the year.
“With our new partnership with Bilişim Vadisi, we believe we will launch many innovative projects that will further enhance the global competitiveness of our fashion industry, especially in digitalisation and green transformation,” Paşahan added.
In February this year, İHKİB completed METAMORPHOSIS project under IPA II, which led to the creation of a Digital Transformation Center for the industry.
The association also launched the MIDAS project, with support from the EU, to provide infrastructure for twin transformation among SMEs.
