The second SME Workshop in Europe, held in Hungary on 20th of October 2025, successfully brought together representatives of Turkish diplomacy, the management of local chambers, and Hungarian companies that already have, or wish to establish, partnerships with Turkish counterparts. The event served as a dynamic platform to explore new opportunities for cooperation, trade, and innovation between the two countries.
The Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the Kirklareli Chamber of Commerce and Industry, co-applied for the TEBD II call for proposals, laying the foundation for long-term collaboration. This partnership has already proven to be a valuable bridge for developing business relations and fostering future joint initiatives.
During the workshop, participants explored a wide range of topics, including market opportunities for Hungarian SMEs in Türkiye, joint tender and innovation programs, and institutional partnerships between chambers of commerce. A special focus was given to the recently launched Türkiye–Hungary Innovation & Digitalization Partnership in the EU Funds Program, which provides new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
The event was attended by key representatives such as H.E. Gülsen Karanis Ekşioğlu, Turkish Ambassador to Hungary; Tahire Nur Durmuş, Commercial Counselor; Mustafa Sezen, Secretary General of the Turkish-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce; and Sonar Işik, President of the Kirklareli Chamber of Commerce. The TEBD II Finance Officer Ebubekir Siddik Arslan also participated online, alongside Mr. László Pekó, President of the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg Chamber, and Dr. Edina Csurka, Secretary General.
Among the main discussion points were:
The halal food industry and export standards;
Ways to diversify tourism beyond Budapest;
Innovation partnerships between universities and industry;
Simplifying administrative and regulatory procedures;
Strengthening cooperation in vocational training.
Informal exchanges during coffee and lunch breaks proved equally valuable, allowing participants to discuss concrete ideas for collaboration.
All participants reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral business relations. Looking ahead, the chambers agreed to:
Organize regular B2B meetings and business delegations;
Establish new chamber partnerships;
Promote joint participation in innovation and EU-funded tenders.
Finally, several proposals were highlighted for EU and national decision-makers notably, the facilitation of visa procedures for Turkish entrepreneurs and the harmonization of quality and standardization requirements between the EU and Turkey. These measures would significantly strengthen trade flows and cooperation between both economies.
The workshop clearly demonstrated the shared ambition of Turkish and Hungarian business communities to build lasting partnerships, drive innovation, and expand opportunities in both markets.