The cluster in textile industry that is being realized in Turkey's eastern city Adıyaman, is ongoing as an example study with the enthusiam of all its participants. This cooperation was last exhibited at a meeting on 7 April 2007 with the participation of the city's senior officials.

At the 12th Local Clustering Committee meeting organised by GAP-GİDEM and Adıyaman Textile and Ready-wear Cluster Association, the importance of clusters and sustainability were discussed. Among the participants were Adıyaman Acting Governor Mehmet Akçay, Adıyaman Mayor Necip Büyükaslan and Head of GAP Regional Development Administration as well as senior officials from the Chamber of Trade and Industry Zafer Ersoy, İstanbul Textile and Confection Exporters Union, Günkar Holding, TOBB and Domino Textile.

With this cluster initiative, Adıyaman is on its way of becoming the textile basin for Europe and the Middle East. In the context of the project, the unemployment rate in Adıyaman fell 11% in men and 4% in women by providing employment for 1700 workers.  In this context 18 new cotton factories, 10 yarn factories and one weaving factory was opened as well as one dye-house, two fabric stamp firms and 4 embroidery firms in order to meet the needs that arose thus adding to a total of 70 companies. Through the newly-opened factories 70% of the population working for the private sector now work in the textile industry and worldwide brands such as GAP and Tommy Hilfiger are now being produced in this city.

The textile cluster in Adıyaman is an initiative started by the city's Supporting Entrepreneurs Centre (GİDEM). In the framework of the project financed by the European Commision and implemented by the UNDP and GAP Regional Development Administration, GİDEM was established in 4 cities in 1997.

Cluster Trainings in Ankara

Instructors from The Economic Competitiveness Group gave trainings on 16-20 April 2007 in order to apply the cluster initiative that was applied in Adıyaman to Ankara in which 15.9% of the population is unemployed. Among of the participants of the training that were held in Ankara were experts from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Under secretariat for Foreign Trade, State Planning Organization, KOSGEB, İstanbul Textile and Confection Exporters Union, Aegean Exporters Union, TOBB Economic and Political Reserach Foundation and GAP-GİDEM.

For more information on the activities of the GAP GIDEM project, please visit

http://www.gidem.org/_Gidem/website/gozlem.aspx?sayfaNo=117