Purpose of the Study Visit

The TEBD II Study Visit to Mersin, held from 5 to 8 May, aimed to strengthen cooperation between Turkish and European Chambers of Commerce through knowledge exchange, networking and the identification of potential areas for future collaboration. The programme focused on three key areas: ports and logistics, sustainable maritime activities, and tourism and cultural heritage.

Focus Areas and Programme Highlights

The four-day programme combined institutional meetings, expert presentations and site visits, providing European Chamber representatives with first-hand insights into Mersin’s economic ecosystem. Key highlights included:

-  visits to Mersin International Port and Mersin Free Zone

- exchanges with logistics and shipping companies on green logistics, digitalisation, energy efficiency and sustainable transport

- good practices in maritime education and skills development, demonstrating the role of cooperation between education providers and industry in addressing skills gaps.

The tourism component focused on sustainable tourism, cultural and maritime heritage preservation, and innovative approaches to local economic development. Visits to sustainable tourism facilities, the Taşucu Amphora Museum and cultural heritage sites illustrated how environmental protection and heritage valorisation can contribute to tourism development.

A Platform for Dialogue and Future Collaboration

By combining institutional dialogue, site visits, expert workshops and networking opportunities, the Study Visit to Mersin served as a practical platform to transform shared knowledge into actionable cooperation, contributing to stronger EU–Türkiye business relations under the TEBD II framework.