New Era at İMİB: Focus on Value-Added Production, Digitalization and Collaborative Management

Istanbul Mining Exporters Association (İMİB) has shared its new-era vision aimed at positioning Turkey's mining and natural stone sector at a stronger, more competitive and respected position on the global scale. At a meeting organized together with leading sector representatives, İMİB Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairmanship Candidate Metin Çekiç unveiled targets and projects for the new era.

With approximately 6,500 members, İMİB, which alone handles 70 percent of Turkey's mining exports, is building its new-era vision on value-added production, digital transformation, sustainability and participatory management approach. Within the scope of the 2030 vision, numerous strategic projects are targeted for implementation ranging from the Export Academy to digital platforms, from virtual trade fairs to the Ankara Promotion Office.

"There Is No I or You; There Is We"
Emphasizing that collective wisdom and collaborative management culture lie at the foundation of the new era approach, İMİB Chairmanship Candidate Metin Çekiç delivered the following message:

"In the new era, we will operate with a collective management approach, not an individual one. There is no I or you; there is we. We aim to establish an inclusive structure that includes all stakeholders of our sector in the process."

The candidate introduction meeting was attended by İMİB Vice Chairman Erol Yüce, former İMİB Board Member Merve Harzadin Nazikoğlu, Plato Mermer owner Kazım Büyükgüçlü, Aksoylar Mermer owner Burhan Aksoy, Gökyar Mermer owner Osman Keleş and former İMİB Chairman Ali Kahyaoğlu, among other leading sector figures.

Participatory Management Model: At Least 100 Members to Take Active Roles
One of the most important headings of the new era will be the participatory management model. Along with strengthening committees, it is targeted that at least 100 members will take active roles in İMİB projects. This approach is intended to provide broader representation in decision-making processes and to encompass all dynamics of the sector.

Digitalization, Virtual Trade Fairs and E-Export Initiative
Digital transformation is being addressed as a separate strategic heading in İMİB's new era. A Digital Transformation Committee will be established to create e-export infrastructure, and virtual trade fairs and online B2B platforms will be launched. This will facilitate companies' access to international buyers without high costs.

Metin Çekiç stated the following on this matter:
"The high costs of physical trade fairs create a serious burden for many of our companies. Therefore, we will organize virtual trade fairs. Every company will have a digital platform within İMİB to display their products."

International Promotion, Visa Support Office and Turquality Program
International promotion activities will also receive emphasis in the new era. Çekiç noted that the Turquality support program conducted in cooperation between İMİB and the Ministry of Commerce will continue for the next four years, emphasizing the goal of increasing the brand value of Turkish stone in international markets.

Additionally, a Visa Support Office is planned to be established within İMİB to facilitate visa processes for exporters.

Export Academy and Knowledge-Based Competitive Strength
The İMİB Export Academy, one of the standout projects of the new era, aims to provide the sector with knowledge-based competitive advantage. Within the scope of the Academy, sector-specific training and mentoring programs will be offered in the fields of international marketing, branding, digital commerce, green transition and financial literacy.

Financing, Freight and Exchange Rate Support
Steps aimed at facilitating the sector's access to financing are included in the new era projects. While information and guidance mechanisms are targeted to be established for more effective use of Eximbank and Trade Bank credits, discussions with relevant institutions are planned to continue regarding freight support and exporter-specific exchange rate practices.

Ankara Promotion Office and Public Communications
The establishment of an Ankara Promotion Office is also on the agenda to enable faster resolution of problems that İMİB members experience with public institutions. Through this office, it is aimed to monitor sector issues from a single center before the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transportation.

Sustainable Mining and Skilled Workforce
While more effective communication is planned to be established with the press, civil society organizations and educational institutions to strengthen the sector's environmental perception, the "You Are My Ore" project, which previously benefited 320 scholarship recipients, is targeted to be relaunched in cooperation with the Council of Higher Education to address the need for skilled workforce.

"We Will Carry İMİB Into the Future Together"
Metin Çekiç concluded his assessment on the new era with the following words:

"We aim to carry İMİB into the future with an approach based on value-added production, digitalization and sustainability. We can only succeed in this process through collective wisdom and a strong culture of solidarity."