OSTİM Rubber Technologies Cluster organized a bilateral business meetings program between March 18-23, 2019, covering Paris, the capital of France, and Brussels, the capital of Belgium. 14 cluster member companies participated in the program.
In addition to exploring export opportunities during its European contacts, the rubber cluster also visited members of the European Rubber Clusters Association, of which it is a founding member.
As part of a program planned in collaboration with the French and Belgian economic missions, the Enterprise Europe Network held meetings with the Paris Commercial Attaché Özlem Nurdalı, the MÜSİAD Paris Organization, the French Elastopole Cluster, and the Belgian Plastiwin Cluster. Additionally, Turkey's Ambassador to Belgium, Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, was visited at his office and briefed on the cluster's activities.
Cluster members held important meetings at the French Rubber and Polymer Centre and the European Tire Manufacturers Association, which are among Europe's most important contact points for rubber products. The OSTİM delegation, also hosted at the Economic Development Foundation's Brussels Representative Office at TOBB's Brussels headquarters, received information about the Foundation's activities and the Belgian economy.
OSTİM companies will also benefit
The delegation also had the opportunity to learn about new technologies in the field of recycling; within this framework, they examined recycling efforts carried out without the use of any chemical substances.
During the next stop, a visit to CFCP, one of Europe's leading research centers for rubber, an agreement was reached that cluster members would have access to the same facilities as French companies.
The companies, which held over 100 business meetings in the two capitals, are expected to have a positive impact on commercial potential in the near future.
Recession warning
Dr. Kayhan Olanca, Coordinator of the OSTİM Rubber Technologies Cluster, stated that during their visits to France and Belgium, they had the opportunity to observe the European economy, noting that it is heading towards recession. Pointing out that Turkey's exports are primarily to the European market, Olanca said, "Therefore, the recession, which seems very likely, is expected to directly affect our country's exports. This threat may be even higher for OSTİM companies producing intermediate goods. To minimize the effects of this economic crisis, it will be necessary to focus on new markets and work on innovative products."
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