A new initiative aimed at strengthening economic ties between Türkiye and China, the “TÜGİAD China Center” platform, was officially introduced at a launch event in İstanbul. The platform, established by the Turkish Young Businessmen Association (TÜGİAD), is designed to foster trade relations between the two countries and create new partnership opportunities—especially in the fields of renewable energy, smart cities, robotics, and high-tech industries.
As part of the initiative, senior executives from China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), one of China’s leading state-owned energy conglomerates, traveled to İstanbul to hold bilateral meetings with Turkish suppliers. The visit was held in coordination with the Global Supply Chain Management Platform launch, organized by TÜGİAD and the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (YEA), in cooperation with the China Council.
During the two-day event, CEEC representatives shared insights into the platform’s structure and outlined the benefits it offers to businesses. Turkish and Chinese firms engaged in one-on-one meetings, exploring avenues for collaboration in purchasing, distribution, and technology transfer.
Gateway to the Chinese Market for Turkish Firms
The event attracted young entrepreneurs and industry leaders from a wide range of sectors, especially renewable energy. The TÜGİAD China Center, officially launched in Beijing earlier this year, was presented as a strategic base for Turkish companies looking to enter the Chinese market. The platform aims to match the right companies from both countries, enabling transparent, reference-based business partnerships.
Specifically, it allows renewable energy firms to access products such as solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage systems directly and competitively through the platform. Additionally, companies seeking investment or capital support can have their projects evaluated for potential joint ventures.
“We’ve Received Partnership Offers from Over 50 Turkish Firms”
Speaking at the launch, G20 China Council Chairman Tiangi Han emphasized the significance of opening the TÜGİAD office in Beijing, calling it a “historic milestone.” He stated, “Our Türkiye-Beijing center will serve as a hub for Turkish companies, subsidiaries, and entrepreneurs. It will greatly benefit young professionals in both countries and marks a critical step for bilateral cooperation.”
Han added, “In April, we hosted the Türkiye Council President in Beijing. The launch was attended by SP500 companies, unicorn startups, and leaders from five regional governments. Since then, we’ve begun focusing on global supply chain management with our Turkish partners and have received partnership proposals from over 50 Turkish firms. We are planning significant collaborations, particularly in the energy sector.”
Strategic Collaborations in Renewable Energy and More
TÜGİAD Chairman Gürkan Yıldırım highlighted the platform’s mission to build long-term cooperation: “The TÜGİAD China Center officially opened in Beijing this April. Today in İstanbul, we are hosting our first joint event with our Chinese partner, the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance China Council. Over 90 firms are participating, mainly from the renewable energy sector, along with TÜGİAD members and companies from other industries.”
Yıldırım noted that the event aimed to share how the global purchasing and supply chain platform will function, the advantages it offers to firms, and how requests and partnerships will be evaluated. “We are explaining how the investment opportunities and procurement processes will unfold, helping businesses prepare for meaningful collaborations,” he added.
CEEC: A Global Power in Energy and Infrastructure
China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), a Chinese state-owned enterprise and a global powerhouse in energy and infrastructure value chains, ranked 239th on the 2024 Fortune Global 500 list. The company also placed 2nd on ENR’s 2024 Top 150 Global Design Firms list and 10th among the Top 250 Global Contractors. With new contract values totaling 1.4 trillion yuan in 2024, CEEC currently operates in 147 countries and regions worldwide.
Source: Bloomberght/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök