STORY OF A SUSTAINABLE SME BORN AS AN EU PROJECT Pınar ÖZBAY Director

East Marmara ABİGEM

Brief History 2002, 3 EU Business Centres (ABİGEM) were founded with financial support of Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and EU, to  support local /international business activities of SMEs  increase productivity of SMEs  increase regional capacity  establish start up culture in Turkey 2006, the project finished, these 3 centres became incorporated / funding term finished / time to work hard for sustainability!

First 3 Business Centres

2009, 12 new Business Centres were established

2011, 4 more business centres were founded total 19 ABİGEMs on board

East Marmara Abigem Provides consultancy and training advisory to SMEs of East Marmara region.(more than companies located) 8 chambers in the board 10 full time experts each specialised on their own services such as entrepreneurship, business development, training, international networking, project management and project finance.

Success Stories Management of EU Projects with budgets over 1.5 million Euro (CIP – Stop4 Business – Prism) Every year at least two EU projects are managed Every year minimum 400 man day training prog is provided, min 9500 people are trained Minimum 1200 entrpereneurs are mentored on starting up their business Contribution in usage of approx. 15 million Euro by SMEs via support programs of Regional Development Agency, MOSSIT, Ministry of Economy, EU Framework Programs etc.

Sectoral Performance Awards 2011

Sectoral Performance Awards 2012

Sectoral Performance Awards Since 2008 in cooperation with local chambers, CNN Turk and Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC) every November 100 companies (industry sector) participate Evaluated based on 14 criteria's such as quality, efficiency, hr management, environmental caring, efficiency, export capacity etc.

Supplier Development Programs

In cooperation with Pirelli, Since 2009, 900 employers of Pirelli suppliers were trained on health and safety, efficiency subjects Productivity and business competency of both Pirelli suppliers and Pirelli increased approx. 70% Occupational accidents decreased by 75% Usage of protective equipments increased by 75%

Other Projects on Suppliers of OEMs ISO 9001 system was established in 150 companies 300 suppliers of OEMs in automotive were mentored on establishment of ISO ISO system was established in 50 companies Export Development Centre was established in Düzce Chamber of Commerce Workforce analysis was conducted in Düzce, need analysis of employers conducted/ qualification of employees were identified, regional opportunities, strategies aganist unemployment were reported

Other Projects 2 EU projects about sustainable construction and green buildings were managed Products and techniques used in sustainable construction sector were introduced to SMEs in Turkey Raised awareness on opportunities/ new markets in EU demanding green equipments Every year minimum 100 profiles of Turkish companies are shared with foreign project partners

Business Matching Events

Continental Business Matching Events Partner of International Business Matching Organisations since 2004 (b2fair, kinetic cube etc) Organised over 50 b2b events in and out of Turkey (Europe, Africa, Asia, America) Have been organising international business matching event within fair organisations since 2010 in cooperation with Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), Turkish Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology (MOSSIT) More than b2b meetings realised

East Marmara ABİGEM plays an important role in development of competency of East Marmara with these activities is an important liaison point between SMEs and governmental organisations. is one of the good success stories of EU projects became sustainable, generated ( 16 more ABİGEMs) plays an important role in leading projects within ABİGEM network plays an important role in connecting local chambers, regional development agency and other governmental organisations on concrete projects and events that helps promotion of East Marmara.

Q&A

Thank you Pınar ÖZBAY