Launch of the DigiConnect Project in Kayseri, Turkey
21.04.2026 / 10:06 | Aktualizováno: 04.05.2026 / 10:29
A three-day international meeting took place in Kayseri, Turkey, officially launching the DigiConnect project. This initiative, focused on digital interconnection of businesses, is being developed through cooperation among chambers of commerce from Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Belgium. Its aim is to modernize support for small and medium-sized enterprises, open new trade channels in the digital era, and thereby increase the volume of trade among the three participating countries.
The Kayseri Province is located in the central part of Turkey. The key industrial sector in the region is furniture manufacturing (approximately 70% of Turkey’s total production). Other important sectors include metalworking, mining, and the textile industry, as well as agriculture and tourism.
In the provincial capital of the same name, the official launch of the international project “DigiConnect – Inter‑Chamber Network for Digital Connectivity and Cooperation” took place on 13–15 April 2026. The project is implemented under the “Turkey–EU Business Dialogue II” (TEBD II) program and brings together three key partners: the Kayseri Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic, and the Flemish‑Brabant Chamber of Commerce.
The main objective of the project is to modernize support for small and medium‑sized enterprises through a shared digital platform that will enable companies to pursue more effective international expansion. Strong emphasis is placed on inclusion; in addition to traditional exporters, key target groups include women entrepreneurs and young start‑up entrepreneurs. The newly emerging network is intended to provide these groups with the know‑how necessary to enter foreign markets.
The project will run for 12 to 15 months. Among other things, the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic plans to share its experience with the platforms Czech Digital Solutions and ToMáš, as well as with the HappKa application.
Course of the Meetings
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to internal coordination among the participating chambers of commerce. Representatives of the Czech, Belgian, and Turkish sides aligned implementation plans and shared best practices in digitalization that are already functioning in their respective countries. On that day, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Turkey, Petr Štěpánek, met with the Mayor of Kayseri, Memduh Büyükiliç, and the Governor of the province, Gökmen Çiçek.
On the second day, a public conference was held, actively supported by representatives of the Czech and Belgian embassies, who presented the potential for mutual trade and specific sectors offering business opportunities. Following the opening remarks by the President of the Kayseri Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ömer Gülsoy, speeches were delivered by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Turkey, Petr Štěpánek, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Turkey, Hendrik Van de Velde. Economic diplomats from both countries then presented more detailed information on market opportunities and the potential for economic cooperation, followed by short consultations with representatives of the participating Turkish companies. The conference was also attended by Dr. Murat Cahid Cingi, a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and Chair of the Turkey–Czech Interparliamentary Friendship Group.
On the final day, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic and the Flemish‑Brabant Chamber of Commerce focused on study visits to companies and direct engagement with the local business ecosystem in Kayseri.
Business Opportunities
The outcome of the DigiConnect project will not be limited to strengthening relations among the participating institutions but will primarily deliver tangible tools for entrepreneurs from all three involved countries. The jointly developed digital platform, whose initial framework began to take shape in Kayseri, will in the future serve as an information and networking hub for sharing offers and demands of Czech, Belgian, and Turkish companies. This should create new and attractive business opportunities for them in their respective markets.
Moreover, this international initiative, with significant participation from the Czech Republic, is expected to expand beyond the boundaries of the Kayseri Province in the future and be extended to other Turkish regions. Plans also envisage the involvement of companies from additional countries participating in the TEBD II project.
Within the framework of the project’s planned activities, Czech companies may take part in seminars, training sessions, B2B meetings, and networking events with Turkish and Belgian counterparts. The nearest suitable opportunity will be a meeting held at the premises of the Czech Chamber of Commerce in Prague on 22–24 June 2026.
For further information, interested Czech parties may contact the project manager of the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic, Ms. Kateřina Kramešová, at kramesova@komora.cz.
Roman Seidl, Head of the Commercial and Economic Section, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ankara, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic