Hosted by IHKIB, the international conference “Transformation Journey of the Turkish Apparel Industry” brought together national and global stakeholders to address sustainability, strategic collaboration, and the twin transition.
Organized by the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB), the international conference titled “Transformation Journey of the Turkish Apparel Industry” addressed key transformation areas that will shape the future of the sector.
The event began with keynote speeches by Mr. Mustafa Gültepe, Chairman of Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) & IHKIB, and Mr. Mario Jorge Machado, President of EURATEX (European Apparel and Textile Confederation). The conference welcomed international apparel brands, Turkish exporters, civil society representatives, high-level public officials, and policymakers.
Topics included the modernization of the Customs Union with a focus on the twin transition, sustainable trade between Turkey and the U.S., strategic supply chain management, and policy recommendations for sectoral transformation.
Melani Bakkaloğlu Turan, Head of IHKIB’s Sustainability and Strategy Committee, also took part in the event, where sustainability and digital transformation in the sector were discussed in detail.
EURATEX President Mario Jorge Machado emphasized the deep interconnection between the EU and Turkish textile industries, underlining the importance of strengthening partnerships in times of global uncertainty. EURATEX Director General Dirk Vantyghem shared regulatory updates from the EU and reaffirmed the mission of ensuring that the transition leads to a stronger and more competitive European textile industry.
As part of the visit, the EURATEX delegation toured Özak Tekstil and Aydın Tekstil facilities, showcasing examples of resilience and innovation within the Turkish textile sector.
The conference served as a strategic platform to accelerate Turkey’s climate-focused transformation in apparel and align the industry with global sustainability goals. The delegation extended sincere thanks to IHKIB for their hospitality and continued cooperation.
