KOSGEB is the national coordinator of Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Programme that enables SMEs to reach new partners, markets and financial sources. The Open Calls of COSME Programme help SMEs to reach above mentioned opportunities. On 31 August 2020, an introductory meeting was held in order to inform the stakeholders about the calls to be opened in coming months under the Programme.

The meeting started with the opening speeches of Head of KOSGEB EU and Foreign Relations Department Mr. Selim Serkan Ercan and General Director of Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation Mr. Bülent Özcan. Turkey’s place and interest in the Union Programme’s discussed and the importance of open calls emphasised by the presenters. Similar programmes will enter in force between 2021 and 2027, thus they should be considered from a holistic approach as they will complete each other.

The meeting continued with Director of the EU Coordination Department Ms. Pınar Işın’s informative presentation on COSME Programme, international business partnerships, significance of clusters and accessing to finance. Following Ms Işın’s presentations SME Expert Mr. Ümit Çakar shared the details of the calls to be opened such as timing, estimated budget and content. The meeting closed after participants’ questions.