ULUSKON 2026: Türkiye’s Trade Diplomacy on the Rise

ULUSKON 2026: Türkiye’s Trade Diplomacy on the Rise

Rather than focusing on a “celebratory” program, ULUSKON is shaping its 2026 vision around trade diplomacy initiatives spreading from city to city, with a particular emphasis on deepening business networks with Africa. This approach, which aims to open Türkiye’s production capacity to the world, goes beyond protocol visits and seeks to achieve tangible commercial outcomes on the ground.

Stating that recent efforts have paved the way for local producers, SMEs, and entrepreneurs in many cities—from Ankara to Gaziantep, and from İzmir to Mersin—to connect with international markets, ULUSKON President Nezaket Emine Atasoy said: “The ‘city-centered diplomacy model’ developed by ULUSKON has created a structure that is not limited to major cities, but includes every corner of Anatolia among the key actors of the trade network.”

Emphasizing that the African continent holds a special place in the 2026 strategy, President Atasoy highlighted that engagements developed in the healthcare, food, agriculture, energy, logistics, and services sectors are advancing not only through business meetings, but also through long-term partnership models. Stating that ULUSKON positions Africa not merely as a market but as a business partner that generates mutual benefit, Atasoy continued:

“Türkiye’s entrepreneurs, SMEs, and producers must have a presence everywhere in the world. On this journey, we have adopted a diplomacy approach that listens to on-the-ground needs rather than focusing on protocol, and that brings local businesspeople to the table. Our relations with Africa are the most concrete example of this approach.”

Noting that ULUSKON’s 2026 goals include transferring intercity trade networks to digital platforms, developing new programs for women entrepreneurs, and expanding education and business matchmaking platforms in African countries, Atasoy stated that they aim to build a sustainable ecosystem for both Turkish businesses and entrepreneurs in partner countries.