more than the sum

Host Organisations

The three EC funded SME projects, exploring and implementing innovative and highly efficient programmes for improving the competitiveness of Turkish SMEs, are organising Istanbul Clustering Conference on 25 th – 26 th May 2006

• Entrepreneur Support Centre (GAP-GIDEM)
• EU-Turkey Business Centres (ABIGEM)
• The Fashion and Textile Cluster (FTC)
  

Entrepreneur Support Centre (GAP-GIDEM)

The vision of GAP-GIDEM Project is to increase competitiveness of GAP region in national and international markets. In order to achieve this ambitious mission, GAP-GIDEMs -located in Adiyaman, Diyarbakir , Mardin and Sanliurfa- provide business development services (i.e. training, information, advice and consultancy) geared towards improving managerial, entrepreneurial and operational capacities of SMEs located in the GAP Region. The impact of the GAP-GIDEM Project has been highly satisfactory; for each Euro spent for the project GAP-GIDEMs managed to create a value of nearly 5 Euros for the regional economy through facilitating trade and investments, and creating employment.    

For further information, please visit project web site: www.gidem.org

EU-Turkey Business Centres (ABIGEM)

The aim is to improve SME business operations and to contribute to EU-Turkey business relations in the framework of the EU accession. ABIGEMs, located in Kocaeli, Izmir and Gaziantep , are designed to support Turkish SMEs in business operations to improve their competitive edge through provision of information, training and advisory services. ABIGEMs also stimulate the use of environmentally sustainable methods of business operation and promote participation of women entrepreneurs in business activities. The project has created a total economic impact of circa €55 million.

Fashion and Textile Cluster (FTC)

The purpose is to increase networking among SMEs in the textile and clothing sector, at local, national and European levels in order to strengthen the international competitiveness. Cluster Analysis: Cluster map is developed. An FTC model under the umbrella of Cluster Coordination Agency (CCA) with Fashion Institute (FI), R&D Centre (RDC) and Consultancy Centre (CC) support structures is developed. Investment Support: The equipment infrastructure needs analysis is completed. Institutional Development: CCA, FI, RDC and CC are established and pilot services are delivered.