First Study Visit to TR71 Level 2 Region

The Operation Coordination Unit and Technical Assistance Team of the "Capacity Enhancement for Development and Implementation of Smart Specialisation Strategies in Türkiye's Regions (CEDIS3)" visited Ahiler Development Agency (AHIKA) in the TR71 Region, one of the pilot implementation regions of the project, on 5-6 February 2024.

The first day of the visit started with a consultation meeting on the current status of the project activities at the Agency in Nevşehir. Afterwards, three stakeholder meetings were held with Director General of Cappadocia Technopark Dr Bilgin Yazlık, Head of Acıgöl Organised Industrial Zone Mr Samet Kafalı, and CEO of Pasha Balloons Mr Mehmet Halis Aydoğan.

On the second day of the visit, AHIKA Secretary General Bekir Varol and Head of Unit Faruk Er delivered a comprehensive presentation on the TR71 2024-2028 Regional Plan. The discussions also focused on how the CEDIS3 Project activities could contribute to the  Agency’s activities.

Finally, the roles and anticipated contributions of the pilot regions within the scope of the CEDIS3 Project were elucidated. Furthermore, the duties of the regional experts to be assigned for each pilot region under the project’s purview, along with AHIKA's expectations in this regard, were discussed. Emphasis was placed on the importance of the prompt selection of the most suitable expert candidate.