TOSYÖV to Host 21st SME Summit in Ankara Focusing on Defense Industry
Ankara, March 20 – The Turkish Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprises, Self-Employed Professionals, and Managers (TOSYÖV) is set to organize its 21st SME Summit on March 25th in Ankara. The event will primarily focus on bolstering the involvement of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the defense industry sector.
The summit, scheduled to take place at the OSTİM Technical University Main Conference Hall, aims to bring together key stakeholders from the public sector, prime contractor companies, academia, and SME representatives on a single platform. This collaborative effort is designed to foster stronger ties and facilitate direct engagement between these crucial entities.
Collaborative Effort for a Stronger Defense Ecosystem
The event is being organized in collaboration with several prominent organizations, including the Turkish Defense and Aerospace Industry Manufacturers Association (SASAD), OSTİM Defense and Aerospace Cluster (OSSA), Teknokent Defense Industry Cluster (TSSK), and OSTİM Technical University. This partnership underscores the collective commitment to enhancing the capabilities and contributions of SMEs in the defense sector.
During the summit, participating SMEs will have the invaluable opportunity to engage directly with leading companies in the industry. These include major players such as ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, TUSAŞ, ROKETSAN, MKE, ASFAT, FNSS, OTOKAR, and BMC. Such interactions are expected to pave the way for new collaborations, supply relationships, and long-term projects.
Boosting Global Competitiveness of SMEs
Elif Ufluoğlu, Chairman of the TOSYÖV Board of Directors, emphasized the critical role of SMEs in the Turkish economy, stating that they constitute 99 percent of the economy and account for over 70 percent of employment. Ufluoğlu highlighted that SMEs are a “critical threshold” for the defense industry, possessing flexible structures and innovative approaches that make them essential complementary forces.
Ufluoğlu stressed the necessity of creating a permanent and sustainable domestic production ecosystem in the defense industry by facilitating more direct, robust, and results-oriented connections between SMEs and prime contractor companies. She articulated that the goal is to transform SMEs from mere component producers into entities that develop, produce, and export technology, thereby increasing their global competitiveness.
“I believe that a strong dialogue mechanism established between the public sector, prime contractor companies, and SMEs will result in more domestic production, higher added value, and a widespread production network,” Ufluoğlu stated. “Our aim is to contribute to SMEs becoming strong actors that not only supply but also develop, produce, and export technology to global markets. SMEs need to have a more visible, effective, and sustainable role in the defense industry.”
Addressing Challenges and Fostering Solutions
The summit is designed to be a solution-oriented platform that will address significant challenges faced by SMEs. These include critical issues such as access to finance, certification processes, and the development of technical competencies. Ufluoğlu noted that these are among the most critical thresholds for SMEs, and the event will serve as a forum to discuss and overcome these hurdles.
“With this summit, our goal is to pave the way for concrete collaborations, new supply relationships, and long-term projects. We believe that structural steps to accelerate the integration of our SMEs into the defense industry supply chain should be on our agenda,” Ufluoğlu added, underscoring the proactive approach of the summit.
The 21st SME Summit is expected to be a pivotal event for the Turkish defense industry, fostering an environment where SMEs can thrive, innovate, and contribute significantly to national and global defense capabilities. The outcomes of the summit are anticipated to strengthen the defense industrial base, promote technological advancement, and enhance the overall competitiveness of Turkish SMEs in the international arena.
Source: https://www.haberturk.com/ankara-haberleri/40869215-tosyovun-21-kobi-zirvesi-savunma-sanayisi-temasiyla-yapilacak
