techUK, MEXT Technology Centre, Midlands Engine Partnership, and The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are arranging a trade mission to Turkiye focused on industrial AI.
In the last 20-25 years, Turkiye's manufacturing industry has evolved from an industry dominated by low technology content to an industry producing medium to medium-high technology. This transformation was led by the automotive and white goods sectors. Current data show that these sectors have reached a certain maturity, but that structural transformation in industry has stalled, with little movement towards high-tech products.
MEXT Technology Centre, founded by MESS (Turkish Employers’ Association of Metal Industries) in 2019, supports manufacturing businesses in Turkiye in their digital and clean transformation through capacity building at their state-of-the-art digital factory, digital maturity assessment services, and ecosystem building activities.
This mission builds on the visit of TUSIAD delegation to Midlands Engine and MTC in April 2024, addressing the commitment of parties to explore collaboration opportunities and a closer relationship.
Key topics to be focused are additive manufacturing, intelligent automation, robotics, IoT and digitalisation for the manufacturing sector.
Proposed Programme (Content is TBC)
Venue: MEXT Technology Centre, Istanbul
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:45 | Welcome & MEXT Digital Factory Tour for the UK Delegates |
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Break for the UK Delegation // Registrations for Turkish delegates |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Opening Speeches |
| 11:15 – 12:15 | Panel: Advancing Manufacturing Technology: Building a bridge between Turkiye and the UK |
| 12:15 – 12:30 | Financing Manufacturing Innovation with UKEF |
| 12:30 – 13:15 | Panel: Connecting the Innovation Ecosystem |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| Parallel Session - 1 | |
| 14:00 – 16:00 | Business Engagement |
| Parallel Session - 2 | |
| 14:00 – 14:15 | Introduction to Midlands Engine Region: Innovation ecosystem and opportunities |
| 14:15 – 16:00 | B2B Meetings (15 – 30 min. pre-arranged one-one-one sessions between businesses from Midlands and Turkiye). Focus themes: Digital Transformation of manufacturing, process automation, additive manufacturing, modelling simulation digital twins, data analytics. |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Market Access Roundtable: Opportunities and Challenges for collaboration on digital technology and services (TBC) |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | Meeting (TBC) |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | Roundtable: Driving R&D Collaboration between the UK and Turkiye |
| Break | |
| 19:00 – 21:00 | Networking Reception, BCG Istanbul - TBC |
Separately, techUK would meet with the Chief Negotiator of the Turkish Government on the UK-Turkiye FTA to discuss the importance of including a digital chapter. Currently, the FTA we have is a rollover from the EU one. It only covers industrial goods, meaning that there is potential to include a strong services and digital chapters. Given Turkiye is such a large emerging market and middle power, this would be a big opportunity for many members.
members that attend are responsible for booking their own flights and accomodation
Be sure to register your interest by 9th October 2024. We recommend you register as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please get in contact with the team below
Daniel Clarke
Daniel Clarke
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Oliver Alderson
Oliver Alderson
Oliver is the team assistant for the Policy and Public Affairs teams, joining techUK in November of 2023. He assists the teams admistrative support, communication, and event production.
Prior to working at techUK, Oliver studied at Swansea and Bristol universities, attaining a masters in Policy Research. During this time he competed in debating competitions around the country where he discussed and deliberated various policy issues. Between his studies Oliver acted as a student assistant in mental health research for the SMaRteN student network.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07505 890 596
- LinkedIn:
- https://uk.linkedin.com/in/oliver-alderson-a51312180
