PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE

The Third International Clustering Conference was held on 3-4 December 2008 in Istanbul. The conference organized by the Project, “Development of a Clustering Policy for Turkey (DCP)”, for which the beneciary organization is the Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade (UFT) aimed at promoting and sharing the following main outcomes of the project (*):

National Clustering Strategy Paper
Clustering Programme for UFT
Competitiveness Assessment
Networking among Clusters in Turkey

THEME AND SCOPE OF THE CONFERENCE

In light of the main outcomes identified above, the main theme of the conference was “Sharing the Cluster Experience of Turkey with National and International Academic, Public and Business Communities.”

In this respect, topics and aims of the sessions were set as follows:

Session I. Clustering Policy

The basic intention of this session was to discuss the process of clustering policy development both at the national and European level. In this respect, while international speakers delivered speeches on national and European Clustering Policies, the Turkish authorities envisaged to present the Clustering Policy in Turkey. Moreover, the sustainability of the clustering policy was the one of the discussion points. In addition to that, basic priority areas like innovation, entrepreneurship, employment, regional development, etc. of the Clustering Policy were also among the discussion points.

Session II. Competitiveness Assessment

This session aimed at opening a debate on the identification of regional strengths and the assessment of competitive sectors within the context of regional development. Since clustering is perceived as an efficient tool for increasing competitiveness, especially on the regional basis, speakers presented their views on the usage of different tools and techniques for different cases, which might be useful to identify such regional strengths.

Session III. Implementation of Cluster Initiatives

This session provided the audience with information concerning successful international experiences, especially regarding the development of cluster initiatives. International experiences including the implementation of cluster support programmes, tools, and measures were among the discussion points. The basic issues emphasized in this session were; how a cluster is upgraded and its efficiency is increased and how competitiveness of this cluster is improved.

Session IV. Inter- and Intra-Clusters Cooperation

This session dwelled on the importance of partnerships, co-operations and collaborations both among cluster members and clusters. In other words, the importance of networking emphasized in order to increase the strength of clusters. The information and experiences on European Networks of Clusters were presented.

Session V. Cluster Management

This session aimed to provide information and share experiences in relation to the cluster management. The basic question for opening a debate was how a cluster coordination body is set up and managed efficiently and effectively. Various views and approaches on common activities or cross-cutting areas for cluster actors raised as discussion points by international practitioners and academicians for the purpose of emphasizing the competitiveness of clusters.

Session VI. Monitoring and Evaluation of Clusters

This session entailed a debate on the impact analysis of cluster support programmes and measures. The speakers presented specific examples from various countries by elaborating the issue of economic impact, such as which measures create how much value on which sectors? What is the total contribution of these measures to the competitiveness of whole country?

TARGET AUDIENCE OF THE CONFERENCE

400 people participated from academic and business communities together with the representatives of non-governmental organizations operating at national or local levels that can undertake an active role during the “development and implementation of the clustering policy.” Participants were from “support organizations for clusters” such as “public organizations, chambers, associations, unions, foundations, etc.”

DURATION AND DATE OF THE CONFERENCE

The Conference was held on 3-4 December 2008 with the duration of 1.5 days.

* The Project “Development of a Clustering Policy for Turkey for which the beneficiary organisation is Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade is funded by the European Commission and implemented by ADA Muhendislik in consortium with Anteja-ECG (SL), Clusterland (AT), CSIL (IT), Euromed (BE).

For the detailed program please click: program.pdf