Chemical Sector Platform says yes to 'stability and investment', no to 'terrorism'!

The 8th Chemical Industry Development Congress, organized by the Chemical Sector Platform on 15-16 December in Ankara, addressed major sector challenges and sought solutions.

At the Congress closing, Chemical Sector Platform members conveyed a message of unity and solidarity for Turkey's stability while condemning terrorism.

The Chemical Sector Platform's (KSP) 8th Chemical Industry Development Congress was held on 15-16 December at the Ankara Etap Altınel Hotel. With BOSAD, İKMİB, Kauçuk Derneği, KİPLAS, Composite Manufacturers Association, PAGEV, PAGDER, TKSD and other organizations representing the sector, along with bureaucrats,

academics from universities throughout Turkey, sector companies and experts gathered at the 8th Chemical Development Congress to evaluate steps to be taken for the future of the chemical sector.

At the Congress opening;

KSP period Chair Kauçuk Derneği Board Vice Chair Şirzat Karayel, Turkey Chemical Manufacturers Association (TKSD) Board Chair Timur Erk, Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB) Board Chair Murat Akyüz, OSTİM Board Chair

Orhan Aydın, Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) newly elected Board Chair Gürsel Baran and T.C. Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology Undersecretary Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan delivered speeches.

At the 8th Chemical Industry Development Congress, sessions were held on "International dimensions and foreign trade effects in the chemical sector", "Investment, production and clustering models in the chemical sector", "2023 Labour planning - Education vocational competence and certification in the chemical sector", and "Assessment of the 2017 investment-based incentive system".

The session on "International dimensions and foreign trade effects in the chemical sector" was chaired by İKMİB Board Chair Murat Akyüz. Participants included Export General Directorate Deputy General Director Cavit Özdem, Export General Directorate Deputy General Director Hakan Kızartıcı, İKMİB Board

Vice Chair Ahmet Faik Bitlis and DOW's İhsan Necipoğlu. It was emphasized that to elevate Turkey's third-ranking chemical sector's USD 15 billion exports to higher levels, value-added in exports must increase and focus must shift to medium and high-technology product exports.

The session on "Investment, production and clustering in the chemical sector" addressed making the investment environment attractive and increasing sectoral synergy through clustering. Speakers in the session chaired by TKSD Board Chair Timur Erk included DOW-AKSA'sMustafa Yılmaz, Development

Ministry Director General of Economic Sectors and Coordination Emin Sadık Aydın, T.C. Prime Ministry Turkey Investment Support and Promotion Agency Project Director Mustafa Erdönmez, Organik Kimya Haluk Erceber, T.C. Ministry of Environment and Urbanization EIA Director General Mustafa Satılmış, BASF's Selçuk Denizligil and

T.C. Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications' Cemalettin Doğmuş. Core production and investment targets and expectations in the 10th Development Plan were discussed, as well as international direct investment projects. Within this framework, analysis of the clustering model for the chemical sector was conducted. During the session, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization's

new Environmental Regulations and Practices were reviewed while officials from the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications conveyed applications and recent developments regarding dangerous goods transportation by road.

Chaired by BOSAD Board Chair Ahmet Yiğitbaşı, the session on "2023 Labour planning - Education vocational competence and certification in the chemical sector" featured speeches by Vocational Qualifications Authority Social Partners and Projects Department Head Şennur Çetin, Occupational Standards Department Head Yaprak

Akçay Zileli, KİPLAS General Secretary Saadet Ceylan and TKSD General Secretary Mustafa Bağan. The meeting highlighted improved vocational training quality to address qualified workforce needs, one of the sector's most pressing issues, while information on Vocational Qualifications Certificates and ongoing work was presented.

The importance of Industry-Public-University cooperation was raised regarding improving vocational training quality. Activities to bring universities together with the private sector were discussed.

Agreement was reached on creating a portal where academics' knowledge and experience, along with student projects, can be shared in a digital environment.

On the second day of the 8th KSP Chemical Industry Development Congress, sector representatives gathered in a session evaluating the 2017 Investment-Based Incentive System. Speaking in the session moderated by Ankara Chamber of Industry General Secretary Yavuz Cabbar, T.C. Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology Industry Director General

Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kılıçaslan, Industry General Directorate Branch Manager Orhan Çetinkaya, T.C. Ministry of Economy Incentive Implementation and Foreign Capital Deputy General Director Dr. Mehmet Yurdal Şahin provided information on investment support and incentives directly affecting the chemical industry.

Articles from the 2017-2020 Turkey Chemical Sector Strategy Document Action Plan were discussed.

At the Congress, CNN Türk Economics Director Emin Çapa also made a presentation on the chemical industry, science and technology that will shape the future.

At the closing of the 8th KSP Chemical Industry Development Congress, Chemical Sector Platform members and participants displayed a banner reading "We condemn terrorism", reaffirming their confidence in our country and conveying a message of solidarity.