The “Information Exchange Programme on R&D and Innovation Support for SMEs” was organized by the Secretariat of Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (KOSGEB) of Türkiye and support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) on 3-5 May 2023 in the premises of OTS.
The Program is carried out in accordance with the “Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among Government Bodies for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) of the OTS Member States” signed on 29 September 2015 in Astana, with the aim of encouraging SME cooperation in the Turkic region.
The OTS Secretary General, Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Vice President of KOSGEB, Mr. Bilal Kendirci and TIKA Vice President, Mr. Rahman Nurdun, First Deputy director of Agency for Mahallabay working and development of entrepreneurship of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Mukhtor D.Shonazarov, as well as the representatives of OTS Member and Observer States took part in the opening ceremony of the training programme.
In his opening remarks, Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev highlighted the role of SMEs in the economic development of Turkic countries, the various challenges they face in conducting R&D, limited access to funding, and difficulties in accessing innovation support. He emphasized that introduction of new technologies could be the key to success in a highly competitive business environment.
In addition, Ambassador Omuraliev stated that the OTS Secretariat will continue such joint programs in close cooperation with KOSGEB and TIKA, aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of SME support institutions and developing commercial relations among SMEs doing business in the OTS region.
The vice-presidents of KOSGEB and TIKA expressed their satisfaction with the organization of such a program and their readiness to conduct the necessary training and support programs for the Turkic states in the future.
Then, the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Organization for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Republic of Türkiye (KOSGEB) and the Agency for Mahallabay Working and the Development of Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Uzbekistan” which will help to strengthen cooperation between Turkish and Uzbek SMEs, increase their competitiveness in the world market.
During the program, KOSGEB experts shared the experience of Türkiye in R&D, P&D and innovation, technology development center (TEKMER) and the international accelerator, SME techno-investment and industrial application Support Programs, as well as evaluation and M&E system. The participants from countries also made presentations about their activities and SME support mechanism.
In addition, the participants visited “FARK LABS” and “T-GATE” technology development centers, where they acquittanced with the mechanisms of consulting, technology investment and financial support.
