The association has initiated the Manufacturing Innovation Digitalization Advancement Services Hub (MIDAS) Project, which is bolstered by a €1m grant from the EU under the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) programme.
This project aims to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in progressing towards their twin transformation.
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At the inaugural ceremony of the EDIH-MIDAS Project on 5 May 2025, in Istanbul, IHKIB board member Kamil Hilal Suerdem highlighted the imperative of twin transformation for maintaining competitiveness on a global scale, stating that it has become an essential step rather than an optional strategy.
Suerdem said: “We are focusing on the twin transformation to enhance national competitiveness in digital technologies and infrastructure, and to ensure the sector’s strategic resilience. Through our EDIH-MIDAS Project, we aim to provide SME-scale manufacturers with the essential infrastructure required for this transformation.”
To this point, IHKIB has received €37m in grants from the EU.
“60% of our total apparel exports are directed to European Union countries. When we include other European countries, this ratio rises to 70%. We aim to further strengthen our competitiveness in this major market by rapidly completing our digital and green transformation.
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By GlobalData“To this end, as IHKIB, we are spearheading projects that will lead the industry’s green and digital transition,” Suerdem remarked.
In February this year, IHKIB used EU grant funds to successfully complete the ‘From Design to Production: Digital Transformation in the Apparel Sector’ (METAMORPHOSIS) project under the EU’s IPA II Program.
A significant outcome of this project was the establishment of a Digital Transformation Center now serving the industry.
With the launch of this new project, IHKIB prioritises on twin transformation with an aim to lessen foreign reliance on digital technologies and infrastructure and to achieve strategic autonomy.
The project will equip SME manufacturers with the necessary infrastructure for twin transformation and will bolster digital adaptation capabilities within SMEs while also aiding public institutions in their digital evolution.
Suerdem indicated that EDIH-MIDAS is poised to significantly impact supply chains across various sectors. He stated that the project not only supports economic growth and sustainable development but also establishes a foundation for new partnerships.
Roles of the institutions in the EDIH-MIDAS Consortium
The responsibilities within the EDIH-MIDAS Consortium led by IHKIB include conducting pre-investment testing and creating digitalisation roadmaps for companies with financial support from the EU.
The IHKIB Digital Transformation Center will offer these services specifically for businesses in apparel, textile, and leather industries.
The Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA), which crafted a regional plan outlining Istanbul’s future vision, will support digitalisation of businesses within the manufacturing sector, especially SMEs as part of EDIH-MIDAS Project.
ARI Teknokent, Türkiye’s technology park will provide crucial networking opportunities including connections to leading AI and IoT technologies, access to investors, and mentorship for startups participating in EDIH.
Marmara University will be responsible for identifying educational requirements and fostering collaborations between universities and industries through stakeholder engagement.
The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), a partner in this endeavour and representative body for all exporters in Türkiye, intends to lead in spreading EDIH-MIDAS project results across different sectors. TİM will also be instrumental in assisting export-driven companies to establish ecosystems based on digital production.
