Automotive filter manufacturers that are members of the Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry conducted examinations on electric vehicle production and net zero targets in the UK.

Within the scope of the UR-GE Project organized under the leadership of the Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry, companies in the automotive and filter sectors conducted on-site examinations of developments in the UK regarding production processes, quality standards, electric vehicle production, and the state's net zero targets, and conducted comprehensive examinations on supply chain management. The delegation visited the leading institutions and companies of the sector and evaluated the opportunities in the UK market. The companies, which meet 70% of Turkey's automotive filter needs and export to major automobile brands such as Mercedes, Toyota and Nissan, aim to evaluate new business opportunities with this visit.

Within the scope of the visit, the delegation held meetings at important institutions and companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to the United Kingdom, Mercedes-Benz and Imperial College London Future Vehicle Hub.

During the guided tour of the Jaguar Land Rover factory, production processes, high-tech robots and quality management were examined on-site. At the meeting held with SMMT, quality standards, supply chain management and sustainability strategies in the UK automotive sector were discussed.

As part of the Mercedes-Benz showroom visit, information was given on brand experience and next-generation automotive technologies. In addition, meetings were held with officials from the West London Chamber of Commerce, and detailed information was received about the processes of establishing a business in the UK, commercial opportunities and investment supports.

At the meeting held at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the United Kingdom, cooperation opportunities to increase the trade volume between the two countries were evaluated. During the visit to the Imperial College London Future Vehicle Hub, presentations on electric and autonomous vehicle technologies were listened to.

İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary General Figen Gül Dönmez stated in her statement that the visit was organized to increase exports from Turkey to the UK and to open companies to international markets. Dönmez stated that within the scope of the International Competitiveness Development (UR-GE) project supported by the Ministry of Trade, they aim to increase the competitiveness of companies in foreign markets.

İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary General Figen Gül Dönmez emphasized that 65% of the automotive filters produced in Turkey are produced in İskenderun and said, “The world does not know this fact. We do business with Mercedes and other big companies, why shouldn’t other companies do the same?” He added that as a chamber of commerce, they plan to cooperate with chambers of commerce abroad and will hold contacts in other countries after England.

During the visit, various concerns about electric vehicle production were also expressed. Iskenderun manufacturers stated that electric vehicles reduce their carbon footprint, but the production process still causes high carbon emissions. “Issues such as battery production for electric vehicles, insufficient charging stations and long charging times are still being discussed. We expect these problems to be solved with technology by 2035,” Dönmez said.

İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12th Professional Committee members made trips and investigations in the United States.  On behalf of the ITSO Delegation that met with the US Consul in Los Angeles, Board Members Okan Belli and Mehmet Ali Bulut presented a plaque to the Turkish Consul General in Los Angeles, Raife Gülru Gezer. Receiving the ITSO delegation that held various meetings in order to strengthen regional trade relations between Turkey and the US, Turkish Consul General in Los Angeles, Raife Gülru Gezer expressed her satisfaction with the visit to the ITSO delegation. Our companies in the filter sector that participated in the Aapex Automotive Fair with a sectoral trade delegation also participated in informational meetings with the Los Angeles and Trade Attaché Offices. The ITSO delegation, which exchanged ideas about the filter sector in the İskenderun region and the automotive spare parts production, took initiatives for the sector to take its place in the US Market.

 Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a cooperation protocol with Murat Halıcı, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish-Bosnia-Herzegovina Businessmen's Association located in Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Halicı, who stated that they have been doing business in Bosnia-Herzegovina since 2002, stated that they are waiting for Turkish investors.

 He stated that Bosnia-Herzegovina imports many products produced in Iskenderun from abroad and that we can cooperate in this regard. A cooperation protocol has been signed in order to start the work between the two countries.

Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry The administration and members of the Assembly organized a business trip to Poland. The business trip organized in Poland for the purpose of strengthening commercial and cultural relations between Turkey and Poland and increasing the dialogue between the two countries has started. The ITSO delegation, which made various contacts for 4 days, met with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Polish-Turkish Chamber of Commerce, Marek Nowakowski, in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. The ITSO management was warmly welcomed during the visit, and ideas were exchanged to develop trade between the two countries.

Iskenderun and regional economy about ITSO President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz gave information to Poland Turkey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Marek Nowakowski. During the visit, ITSO President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz presented Poland Turkey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Marek Nowakowski with a coffee and cup set, while ITSO Assembly President Servet Ugutmen presented a plaque in memory of the visit. ITSO President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz, ITSO Assembly President Servet Ugutmen, ITSO Vice Presidents Mahir Taner, Muhsin Yeter and ITSO Board Member Senem Akpınar were also present during the visit of Poland Turkey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Marek Nowakowski in Warsaw, the capital of Poland.

A delegation formed by the Board of Directors and Assembly members of the Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a business trip to Romania. Following the meetings held in Romania between November 22-25, the ITSO delegation returned to the country.

During the meetings held, the Romanian Embassy, ​​the Commercial Attaché, the Turkish Businessmen's Association, the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the businessmen in Bucharest were visited and mutual talks were held. Steps have been taken to strengthen Turkish-Romanian trade relations. 
The trip was carried out within the authority, duty and responsibility granted by the Law No. 5174 on the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges and the relevant regulations. 
ITSO President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz, ITSO Vice President Muhsin Yeter, ITSO Accounting Member Özcan Aslan, ITSO board members Bülent Seküçoğlu, Gassan Kuran, Necat Özkaya, Okan Belli, Adnan Mursaloğlu, Mehmet Ali Bulut, ITSO Foundation President Doğan Erten, ITSO Assembly Deputy President Erol Aygen, ITSO Assembly members, Turkish Businessmen Board of Directors President Murat Demiray, Iskenderun Romanian Honorary Consul Faruk Rende and employees were also present at the Romania business trip and organization organized by ITSO. President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mihai Daraban, and his accompanying delegation held talks on trade relations between the two countries.

Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz, who made evaluations on his return from Romania; “During the trips and contacts organized with our ITSO Assembly members and Romanian Honorary Consul, important talks were held regarding the strengthening of commercial and cultural relations between the two countries.   We explained the economy of Iskenderun in Romania and the potential in our region.   We were welcomed with very warm and close interest. We hope that the meeting will strengthen the relations between the two countries. Our impressions are in this direction,” he said.   

The management of the Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the delegation consisting of business people visited the Constanta Port as part of their visit to Romania and had the opportunity to hold mutual discussions on maritime transportation as well as commercial relations between the two countries.

The meeting where bilateral talks were held between the Constanta Port authorities and the ITSO delegation was positive passed.

During the meetings, technical information about Romania and Constanta Port was given to the ITSO delegation by the authorities with the support of cine-vision.  In the presentation, Constanta Port Commercial Director Alexandru CRACIUN stated that trade bridges have been formed between Romania and Turkey and that the arrival of Turkish business people to Romania is a gain for them, and expressed that they are happy to see the ITSO delegation in their country.

Constanta General Consul Sulhi Turan and UKID Romania and Balkans President Sabit Danış also accompanied the visit, and messages of unity and solidarity were given.

ITSO President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz made the following assessment regarding his impressions of Romania: “We visited Romania and Turkey to strengthen social, cultural and commercial relations. They show great interest in Turkish business people here. We had the opportunity to visit and examine some factories and ports in the city of Constanta, Romania. Commercial relations can be established between the two countries, especially between our region and Romania. Some talks have already been held within this scope. Our wish is that the trade bridge we have created here will strengthen the relations between the two countries.”

Romania Iskenderun Honorary Consul Faruk Rende emphasized that trade bridges could be formed between the two countries thanks to the business trip organized to Romania's Constanta together with the ITSO delegation.

ITSO President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz, ITSO Assembly President Okan Belli, ITSO Vice Presidents Muhsin Yeter, Mahir Taner, ITSO Accounting Member Gassan Kuran, ITSO Board Members Müfit Tennioğlu Sanem Akpınar, Selma Yılmaz, Yusuf Yılmaz, Raşit Özyurt, Mehmet Ünüvar, Hıdır Güneş, Romania's Iskenderun Honorary Consul Faruk Rende, ITSO Secretary General Figen Gül Dönmez and the accompanying delegation took part in the Romanian Constanta Port visit.

Within the scope of the cooperation protocol signed between the Red Crescent Iskenderun Branch and the Kosovo Prizen Red Crescent and the Red Cross, Kosovo Minister of Public Administration Mahir Yagcilar and his accompanying delegation visited the Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 
İTSO management delegation from Kosovo İTSO terrace hosted him on his floor. İskenderun Red Crescent Branch President Ümit Günay made the opening speech of the visit and said, “We are carrying out the İskenderun visit of the cooperation protocol between the Red Crescent and the Turkish Republic. Today, we are carrying out a series of visits to İskenderun with Kosovo Public Administration Minister Mahir Yağcılar, Kosovo Prizen Red Cross Branch President Bujar Mufti, Turkish Red Crescent Deputy General President Ercan Tan, Turkish Red Crescent Foreign Relations Balkan Coordinator Abdullah Tatlıcı, Red Crescent and Red Cross Prizen board members. We would also like to thank the ITSO management for the hospitality they have offered us. The aim here is to reinforce the unity and togetherness, mutual aid and solidarity between the two countries.”

Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Levent Hakkı Yılmaz, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and his accompanying delegation met with Egyptian Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry İbrahim Al Seginy.​

In the meeting, the TOBB Delegation discussed the problems of Turkish entrepreneurs who have investments in Egypt and who do business with Egypt. Investment opportunities were also discussed in the meeting, which was quite productive.

The delegation in Germany, within the scope of the EU Grant project called Safe Job, Safe Future, carried out in partnership with İskenderun Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, İskenderun Organized Industrial Zone Presidency, İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Özçelik-İş Union İskenderun Branch, continues its technical examinations.

     Within the scope of project activities, in order to examine on-site examples of good practices in Europe; in order to obtain examples of good practices to be seen in the field in two enterprises operating in the metal and machinery industry sector in Germany, one of the leading countries in the field of occupational health and safety, and to examine activities in the regional industry in particular; the project implementer İskenderun Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School and a delegation consisting of project partners İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry, İskenderun Organized Industrial Zone Presidency, and Özçelik-İş Union are participating in the technical visit.

    Within the scope of the EU Grant project called Safe Job, Safe Future, the delegation met with BWK Bıldungswerk's Kreuzberk GMBH (Education Success Safe Future) company representative Nihat Sorgeç, and exchanged ideas about the project and received useful information from the company representatives.

   ITSO Vice President Muhsin Yeter presented a plaque to BWK Bıldungswerk's Kreuzberk GMBH company representative Nihat Sorgeç in memory of the visit.

   In the delegation, İskenderun Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School Principal Yusuf  Yıldırım, İTSO Vice President Muhsin Yeter, İTSO Board Members Müfit Tennioğlu, Raşit Özyurt, Özçelik-İş Union İskenderun Branch President Mehmet Güngör, İskenderun Technical University Faculty of Architecture Vice Dean, Head of the Department of Architecture  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mert  Nezih Rifaioğlu and project partners were present.