The introduction meeting for the İzmir Resource Efficiency Program implemented by İzmir Development Agency, hosted by İzmir Development Agency (İZKA) in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Türkiye, Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO) and Rheinisch Westfalische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen Technical University Europe 4.0 Transformation Center was held online on the 3rd of June 2021.
Yavuz Selim Köşger, Governor of İzmir and Chairperson of the Board of İzmir Development Agency, delivered the opening remarks at the Introduction Meeting. “I hope that the İzmir Resource Efficiency Center, which we believe will give a great impetus to the İzmir industry and will be implemented by working on it in detail over the next 4 years, will be beneficial to all our stakeholders working for the İzmir and Turkish industry,” said Köşger.
“Thanks to the İzmir Resource Efficiency Program, companies will gain sustainable advantages in competition today and will have the opportunity to prepare themselves for the change that future innovations will require,” stated Ender Yorgancılar, Chairperson of the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry.
Seher Alacacı Arıner, UNDP Türkiye’s Deputy Representative for Programs, added that the activities to be carried out within the scope of the industrial symbiosis component will create regional capacity and pilot practices in İzmir. Head of Europe 4.0 Transformation Center Prof Dr. Thomas Gartzen mentioned that the digital transformation expertise in Germany, the starting point of Industry 4.0, will be adapted according to the needs of İzmir by conducting local analyzes, and eventually a completely local digital transformation center will be established.
Dr. Mehmet Yavuz, General Secretary of the İzmir Development Agency, stated that a program suitable for the needs of İzmir has been designed for the transformation of İzmir’s industry, thanks to the cooperation to be made with institutions that have proven their competence at the international level. Dr. Yavuz stated that by providing companies with both technical and financial assistance, they will also be supporting digital transformation and industrial symbiosis transformations.