Activities

Exclusive company visit to BAYKAR Technologies, one of Türkiye’s leading high-technology companies in the field of unmanned aerial systems and a recognized global leader in the export of unmanned aerial vehicles. 

BAYKAR designs, develops and manufactures indigenous unmanned platforms and related technologies, with a strong focus on research and development, innovation, and advanced manufacturing. During the visit, the Belgian delegation will be welcomed at BAYKAR’s main technology and production campus in Istanbul. 

This visit offers participants valuable insights into Türkiye’s growing aerospace and defence technology sector and provides an opportunity to better understand BAYKAR’s industrial vision, technological expertise and potential areas of interest for international cooperation.

Breakfast briefing on the subject of the Turkish economy (forecasts, sectors to invest, business and investment opportunities, etc.). The seminar will focus on Belgian trade with and investments in Türkiye.

The aim of this breakfast is to showcase Belgian businesses with a success story on the local market. More specifically, this event will give business leaders a chance to explain to HM the Queen, the Ministers and invited officials their company and explain how they established themselves on the Turkish market. 

Each invited Belgian company can invite a local partner to the event. This partner could be a (potential) major client, a supplier, a distributor or similar. The fact that it is being attended by a member of the Royal Family and by high-level Belgian politicians undoubtedly gives it considerable prestige, which our businesses could build on to further strengthen their relationship with their local partners.  

Finally, testimonies from the businesses, along with information about those businesses, will be useful for our political representatives as they provide a clearer insight into the challenges and opportunities associated with international trade in general. 

High-level official kick-off event hosted by the Turkish authorities at ministerial level. Türkiye takes the floor to share first-hand perspectives on its economic priorities, future opportunities, and cooperation with Belgium. A unique moment to hear directly from Turkish decision-makers on Türkiye’s economic priorities and opportunities in 2026, highlighting its economic potential and investment landscape.

This activity aims to bring together ports, airports, logistics and industrial communities to emphasize the longstanding connectivity between both countries.   

During the event, two panels will take place. One will focus on the importance of critical infrastructure for the economy in these changing geopolitical times. The panel will be moderated by Piet Demunter, CEO of FIT and will give the floor to different speakers to discuss how they assess the security of their critical infrastructure and how Turkish and Belgian knowhow can be exchanged.  

The second panel will focus on innovation and sustainability in the logistics sector and the importance of it for the circular industry.  

After the two panels, a light lunch will be offered to all invited guests to enable networking. 

This lunch combines official remarks, testimonials from Turkish investors established in Belgium, and informal networking opportunities. It brings together Belgian institutional actors, Turkish business leaders, and sectorspecific stakeholders to foster new investment flows and strengthen bilateral economic ties. 

At the global level, women’s participation in economic life continues to face persistent barriers, including unequal access to employment and finance, pay gaps, under‑representation in decision‑making roles, disproportionate domestic responsibilities, and workplace discrimination. These factors still limit women’s full contribution to the economy. 

At the same time, several positive trends are driving progress: the growing importance of ESG standards, rising expectations from investors and consumers, the spread of international norms, and the acceleration of digital transformation. In this context, advancing women’s rights in the workplace is no longer an ethical or legal imperative — it has become a strategic driver of competitiveness and economic attractiveness for businesses worldwide. 

Minister-President Boris Dilliès will visit Galatasaray High School in Istanbul, highlighting Brussels’ image as an open, international, and culturally engaged city for a wide Turkish audience and its diaspora. 

Founded over a century ago, Galatasaray High School is Istanbul’s historic French-speaking institution, renowned for academic excellence, international openness, and intercultural dialogue. Its alumni have played leading roles in intellectual, economic, and social life in Turkey and abroad. 

Galatasaray Football Club, established by the school’s students in 1905, embodies the long-standing connection between education, culture, and international influence. 

The visit will include a tour of the school’s historic rooms, interaction with students, signing of the guest book and the presentation of a jersey to Minister-President Boris Dilliès by former Belgian player Mbo Mpenza, who previously played for Galatasaray. 

This activity consists of a high‑level courtesy moment and photo opportunity for Türkiye’s 12 most important industrial and economic organisations with Her Majesty the Queen and the Belgian ministers.

The visit of Her Majesty the Queen to the new landmark building of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye in Istanbul, designed by a Belgian architect Şefik Birkiye and rising to 352 metres (the fourth tallest building in Europe), showcases Belgian excellence and expertise on the international stage.

This interactive forum brings together Belgian and Turkish public authorities, industry, and research actors to explore the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 in the manufacturing sectors (with textile and automotive as examples), against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruption. Focusing on shared challenges such as energy intensity, sustainability requirements, and global dependency on raw materials, the workshop adopts a foresight-oriented perspective toward a sustainable and agile industrial future. Discussions will go beyond manufacturing to include logistics, supply chain sovereignty, waste reduction, and cybersecurity as critical enablers of resilience. Central to the exchange is a human-centric approach, placing operators and customers at the heart of industrial transformation through safe, meaningful human–machine collaboration. The workshop aims to stimulate Belgian Turkish dialogue and cooperation on building resilient, sustainable industrial ecosystems fit for an uncertain world. An MoU will be signed between Flanders Make and MEXT.

As part of the Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye, participants are invited to join a visit to SEDEF TAIS shipyard, active in both civilian and military shipbuilding programmes.

The visit will provide an overview of Türkiye’s naval and shipbuilding capabilities, including a presentation of selected Turkish military shipbuilding programmes, as well as an introduction to the broader Turkish shipbuilding industry and its position in international markets.

During the visit, the shipyard’s management and technical representatives will present the yard’s competencies across design, construction, systems integration and lifecycle support, highlighting its experience in both defence and commercial maritime projects.

This activity aims to highlight the strength of the Belgian and Turkish life sciences ecosystems and to foster sustainable collaborations within the framework of the Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye.

This activity brings together official Belgian and Turkish delegations, institutional representatives and key industry stakeholders. Through introductory speeches, strategic presentations and discussions by the life sciences industries in Belgium and Türkiye, this session will provide a high-level overview of both ecosystems.

The objective of these official interventions is to set the scene for the life sciences activities planned during the Belgian Economic Mission in Türkiye, identify common priorities, and create a shared framework for cooperation in research, innovation, manufacturing and healthcare.

As part of the Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye, participants are invited to join a visit to Teknopark Istanbul. One of Türkiye’s key research facilities for high tech related defence research will open its doors to the members of the delegation.

It is located in the center of the Turkish defense industry innovation integrating the research capabilities of universities in and around Istanbul, the qualified workforce and the experience of the regional industry, especially in the defense industry.

More than 5000 qualified personnel are employed in Teknopark Istanbul, where studies on more than 1500 new projects are ongoing. 

We will also visit Cube Incubation, the incubation center of Teknopark Istanbul where more than 90 entrepreneurs and entrepreneur groups conduct R&D studies on innovative and deep technology-based business ideas.

This visit will be accompanied by BSDI and SAHA Istanbul.

This visit will also look at the partnerships between governments and research institutions.

FEB, in cooperation with TÜSIAD (Turkish Industry & Business Association), will organize a high-level business luncheon for Belgian and Turkish business leaders. The purpose of this event is to introduce a selection of the Belgian business delegation to TÜSIAD’s leadership and some of its key members, thereby facilitating networking and building strong connections between Belgian and Turkish companies. In addition, HE Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Treasury and Finance, is invited as guest speaker to brief the delegation on new trends, policy priorities, and upcoming economic opportunities in Turkey. This luncheon will provide a unique platform to strengthen bilateral ties and foster dialogue between the private sector and government representatives on strategic themes.

UNIZO, VOKA and FIT, hosted by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest and most influential chambers of commerce in Türkiye, based in the historic heart of the city, will organise an exclusive networking reception bringing together Flemish and Turkish business leaders.

The event aims to strengthen economic ties between Flemish SMEs and Turkish companies and to create new business opportunities across key sectors such as Energy Transition, Port Activities, Transport & Logistics, Health, Pharma & Life Sciences, Digitalisation / Industry 4.0, and Defence & Aeronautics.

The programme will open with welcoming remarks by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, followed by opening addresses by Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, VOKA, and UNIZO, highlighting the importance of strengthening economic cooperation between Flanders and Türkiye.

After the official opening, participants will enjoy an informal rooftop networking reception with drinks, offering a unique and relaxed setting overlooking Istanbul. Cocktail tables and rooftop terraces will provide the ideal environment for companies to meet potential partners, exchange ideas, and explore collaboration opportunities.

To maximize the value of the networking session, the full list of participating companies will be shared in advance, allowing participants to identify relevant counterparts and schedule meetings ahead of time.

This activity offers Flemish entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to connect directly with Turkish business leaders in one of Europe’s most vibrant economic hubs.

A “Market Access” seminar, within the framework of this mission and in the presence of the new Minister-President of Brussels, constitutes a specifically Brussels-led event designed to highlight the expertise and know-how of companies from the Brussels-Capital Region. It provides a structured overview of market entry conditions (regulatory framework, taxation, standards, and sectoral opportunities), while giving concrete visibility to Brussels-based companies in front of local authorities and business partners. Beyond information sharing, it is a strategic tool to reduce risk, prepare companies for B2B meetings, and politically and economically position Brussels as a structured and committed partner in building long-term, sustainable partnerships.

KU Leuven, UGent, UAntwerp and Uhasselt invite you to a Alumni Networking Drink organized during the Belgian Economic Mission in Turkey. This gathering brings together alumni in Turkey who once studied, researched, and lived in Flanders. During this informal networking reception, you will have the chance to (re)connect with fellow alumni from across Turkey and expand your professional network in a trusted, international community. Expect a relaxed atmosphere, engaging conversations, and the opportunity to strengthen the bridge between Turkey and Flanders through our vibrant alumni community. We look forward to welcoming you for an event of connection, inspiration, and shared memories.

Ageas and Sabanci Group, celebrating 15 years of a strategic Belgian-Turkish partnership in Insurance.

As part of the Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye, participants are invited to take part in an event entitled “Turkish-Belgian Defence Industry Day”. Belgian participants will have the possibility to present their company and B2B sessions between Belgian and Turkish companies will be organized.

This activity is for companies with an interest in offshore wind energy. The Türek Offshore windenergy congress is the largest for this sector in Turkey and brings together the key players both industrial and governmental active in this sector. Given the experience Belgian companies have built up in executing project in the North Sea and beyond, Belgian participants are welcomed to take part in this event and share their experience.

The visits of the Ministry of Energy, of TEIAS (the Turkish TSO), of EPDK regulator in Turkey will provide the Belgian delegation with insights on the energy transition developments in Türkiye and will create opportunities for collaborations between our two countries.

The visit of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI/TUSAŞ) facilities, the leading aerospace company in Türkiye and the meetings with TUA, the Turkish Space Agency, will provide the Belgian delegation with insights on the spectacular developments of the aerospace industry in Türkiye and will create opportunities for collaborations between our two countries.

"Türkiye–Belgium Economic Forum: Strengthening Trade & Bridging Opportunities" brings together Belgian and Turkish companies, policymakers, and economic stakeholders to deepen bilateral trade relations and explore new cooperation opportunities. The forum provides a platform for dialogue on shared economic priorities, current market developments, and concrete partnerships, fostering sustainable business relations between Türkiye and Belgium. The forum offers also a valuable networking opportunity.

This high level event brings together decision makers and higher management of selected Belgian and Turkish Defence and Aerospace Industry companies.

Visits to FNSS and BMC, 2 leading Turkish providers of armored vehicles for land forces around the world.

The visit of Aselsan Space and Satellite and the visit to Tubitak Uzay will provide the Belgian delegation with additional  insights in the aerospace industry in Türkiye and will create opportunities for collaborations with both institutions.

The visit of Aselsan Space and Satellite and the visit to Tubitak Uzay will provide the Belgian delegation with additional  insights in the aerospace industry in Türkiye and will create opportunities for collaborations with both institutions.

Visits to FNSS and BMC, 2 leading Turkish providers of armored vehicles for land forces around the world.