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May 17 2023 
Contract new Turkish health care centre Rotterdam signed
An important step has been taken to strengthen the position of the Turkish health tourism sector in Europe. On May 16th, the contract was signed for the allocation of a building to facilitate the “World Health Tourism Center Rotterdam.”
The Turkish healthcare sector has ambitious plans. This is the first step in establishing multiple centers worldwide. The center is formally registered in the Netherlands under the company name EU Trade Centers B.V.
The “World Health Tourism Center Rotterdam” (WHTCR) is globally unique with an innovative vision and business model. The building will offer various facilitation services, including a fair with a continious exhibition space for Turkish stakeholders to host Dutch guests. Leading hospitals, clinics, thermal facilities, elderly care centers, health tourism intermediary organizations, insurance companies, insurance and assistance firms, and industry associations will be brought together.
The target audience of WHTCR is the health tourism market of the Netherlands and neighboring countries, encompassing the entire European market under one roof. Effective promotion and marketing activities will be directed from the Netherlands towards neighboring countries. The WHTCR will serve as a magnet for anyone seeking medical treatments in Turkiye or abroad.
More information will be provided during the Health Tourism Fair taking place on June 2nd-3rd in Amsterdam. We challenge you to participate and discover this exciting new destination! Register for this event here.
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Apr 18 2023 
Experience and view (video) Trademission Mersin, Antalya
Watch this animated video with a Dutch delegation of importers/investors. They are on their way to Mersin and Antalya to meet Turkish fresh produce producers/suppliers.
Why did delegation members decide to seek opportunities in Turkiye? What is there to observe, taste and do? Experience it yourself by watching the video (2022).
Interested in joining us in 2023? Other sectors are also welcome. Send your requirements and specifications.
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Mar 29 2023 
Meet Turkish healthcare sector, Amsterdam
The aim of the ‘Health Tourism Event’ is to create connections and networking opportunities between you (professional or citizen/consumer) and 90 participating Turkish hospitals, clinics, Dutch and Turkish medical tourism agencies, health institutions, insurance companies, doctors and investors in the health sector.
How to participate?
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Exhibition part is free for everyone after registering.
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B2B part is for institutions and companies that have received a private invitation from the organizers ALZ Fair & Go Fair.
Are you a health insurer (purchaser)? Join a group of the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Turkiye foundation (CCNT) that has already built up relationships with the Turkish organizers. Send an email with your company contact details, or call 06-391 102 43. B2B participants also have access to the conferences, the international networking cocktail reception and the event itself.
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Location: Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre, Paul van Vlissingenstraat 9-11, Amsterdam (Google Maps).
Next step: Healthcare Delegation to Turkiye
Would you like to take a look at local (modern, new) hospitals, elderly care institutions, clinics for bariatric surgery, gastroenterology, oncology, etc. in Turkiye under the guidance of a market specialist and interpreter? Would you like to personally meet a Turkish healthcare provider? Participate in the Health Care Trade Mission that will be facilitated in the autumn by the CCNT in collaboration with a local partner in Turkiye. Send your company contact data and specifications.
The biggest gain can be made by mapping out the top clinical institutions in Turkiye and subsequently making agreements and contracts. Any obstacles regarding adequate and high-quality care is then removed because it will be arranged by contract while the offer is formally described.
‘Work to be done’ will be to establish a coherent ICT. It goes without saying that ICT systems are not set up in such a way that the information flows between NL and TR can be exchanged. This is definitely going to have to be done. However, it should be borne in mind that healthcare in Turkiye is professional and that the ICT systems can easily be compared to those in the Netherlands when it comes to the degree of professional development.
Entrepreneurial initiative: Turkish information health care center, Rotterdam
The intention of the Turkish healthcare sector is to build a permanent Turkish information care center in Rotterdam. Although the exact role, structure and services are still open to be defined, this center will undoubtedly lead to high expectations among potential customers and more ‘traffic’ between the Netherlands and Turkiye.
Turkish care for Dutch frictions
In the past, a number of cross-border care initiatives were prompted on the one hand by large waiting lists for Dutch care and also to bridge cultural differences and thus enable faster treatment. Ultimately, lower costs for the insurer.
In recent years we have seen a “dramatic” increase in waiting lists for health care. Hospitals, nursing home care, mental health care and youth care are faced with waiting times that can run up to many months. Acute care is still guaranteed. Although this is at the expense of elective care, which puts further pressure on waiting lists. The two corona years have of course had a negative impact in terms of waiting lists. Oncological care has fallen considerably behind.
Staff shortages, being less attractive as an employer, working long hours, high absenteeism due to illness and constantly lagging behind the facts do not increase job satisfaction within Dutch healthcare institutions. Absenteeism rates of more than 15% are no exception. Working in many healthcare institutions is difficult, with the result that medical specialists and general practitioners want to follow a course to become a company doctor. Currently there are already 60 doctors in training (source: board member of the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Turkey Foundation, Oude Gracht Group, Stichting Praktijkopleiding Arbo Professionals).
Insurers have a duty of (health) care towards insured persons, which is becoming increasingly difficult to fulfil. On a daily basis, Zorgklacht.nl receives calls from insured persons asking whether they can mediate towards their insurer for receiving care.
The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) observes that the number of clinics and agencies that will offer different types of care is still increasing. That is not always a good development. Care fraud and not always clear quality of care is not desirable. Nevertheless, it does contribute somewhat to reducing the waiting lists.
Hedging risks
In recent years, Turkiye has proven to be a reliable partner when it comes to relations with the Netherlands. Many relationships within and between entrepreneurs and governments have led to good agreements with ditto services. It therefore seems time to seriously use the care provided by Turkish healthcare providers for Dutch patients, whether they are of Turkish origin or not.
Certainly bad examples have been mentioned in the media about the care in Turkiye from time to time. This reporting is without doubt tendentious. After all, these always concern clinics where, in particular, plastic surgery, Botox, Fillers, etc. take place. This is also a sector in the Netherlands where the quality of care cannot always be followed.
Furthermore, clients or patients often take an unnecessarily high risk by (conveniently and cheaper) having several medical procedures performed during one visit to Turkiye, which can have an effect on each other. A second mistake is that people use Google to quickly search any Turkish healthcare provider. It is less risky to hire a local, Dutch-Turkish-speaking expert or intermediary who has already conducted market research. The CCNT can possibly mediate here in collaboration with local partners (Contact CCNT).
In any case, it is important to establish a professional connection between the two countries. It will then be clear that, despite the distance, care can be provided at a high level at low(er) costs.
Interested in long-term care solutions between NL and TR? Ask for a meeting with the CCNT, which has short communication lines of communication with the Turkish Embassy in The Hague and relevant sector representatives in Turkiye. Send an email with your company contact details, or call 06-391 102 43 (Ethem Emre).
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Feb 28 2023 
Employers VNO-NCW ‘Business Support Turkiye’ meeting, The Hague
In addition to a good heart, money and medicine (today), a plan of action to get trade going again is the next step (tomorrow). With that in mind, the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands – Turkiye foundation took part in the ‘Business support Turkiye’ meeting in The Hague organised by the Dutch employers association VNO-NCW on 22 February.
Participants included the Minister of Foreign Affairs Liesje Schreinemacher, the Turkish Minister of Trade Affairs Mehmet Muş, the Turkish Ambassador to the Netherlands Selçuk Ünal, the host and chairman of VNO-NCW Ingrid Thijssen, the chairman of Hotiad, Hikmet Gürcüoğlu and the owner of Corendon, Atilay Uslu.
A list of possible action points was shared informally in advance by the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands – Turkey foundation to stakeholders in its network. We are pleased that a number of points were, implicitly and/or explicitly, embraced by certain speakers.
🏙 City partnerships: currently there are only partnerships between the Netherlands and Turkiye between Alkmaar + Bergama; Amsterdam + Istanbul/Şişli & Izmit; Delft + Adapazarı/Sakarya. However, no partnership with a city in the earthquake-affected region. That is why the Chamber of Commerce foundation advocates an entrepreneurial partnership, for example with Kahramanmaras and Hatay.
⚡ Sustainable energy supply: as an example and for inspiration for others, we can mention the industrial, wooden pellet-fired boiler that was donated by a benefactor – via the Chamber of Commerce foundation – to Turkiye. Several streets or hospital complexes could supply hot water.
🤝 Trade missions: entrepreneurs should participate in trade missions to affected sectors, industries and / or commerce. Goal: matching Dutch importers with Turkish producers. The affected city of Adana has already been visited by a Dutch trade mission facilitated by the foundation in 2021.
Disaster training was not mentioned as such by speakers during the VNO-NCW meeting. Although this already exists in Turkiye, one can ask the critical question whether another form of disaster training is needed. A new private initiative for companies has therefore been created. Ask the Chamber of Commerce foundation for more information.
“National logistics plan” was also not mentioned at the meeting, while it turned out that there is a need for smooth (aid) supply chains. For several years now, an employee of the foundation has been arguing through the UN for more attention for a logistics (research) agenda supported by market players and government.
Do you want to help your Turkish colleagues on the other side of the supply chain in the longer term with the much-needed restart of their companies in the affected region?
Do you want to consult with your trading colleagues first? Entrepreneurs can use (free of charge) the meeting facilities of the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands – Turkiye foundation in Rotterdam.
Contact
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Nov 24 2022 
Satisfied Dutch customer sharing his Turkiye experience
It feels good. A satisfied Dutch entrepreneur who shares his adventure about Turkiye. But it didn’t go automatically! To make a boyhood dream come true, a helping hand is sometimes needed in the establishment of an organisation and HR activities.
Philip Knierim, CEO of Ecotone, declares to be a real fan of Turkiye. Ecotone started in Istanbul with the production of affordable and environmentally friendly office supplies. After having tasted success, he founded a second company in Turkiye. Currently, he offers employment to young, smart IT/ICT developers who deliver good work for Dutch customers.
Despite Covid-19 and increasing inflation in Turkiye, he has managed to grow his business significantly. This thanks to a long-term, robust, sustainable growth strategy.
Philip “Developing an understanding the way of doing business in Turkiye and being professionally guided by the offices in Rotterdam (CCNT foundation) and Istanbul (Turkish Dutch Trade Consulting) have contributed to my success”.
But it’s not all roses and moonshine over the Bosphorus. Philip says that specifically managing in the Turkish corporate culture is a difficult task for which he has also engaged the aforementioned parties as an interface.
Interested in ICT development in Turkiye?
A webinar on January 25 is planned by the CCNT foundation. Agenda: nearshoring and the execution of remote projects. Contact initiator Paul Tjia (paul@gpic.nl).
Watch video (Dutch spoken)
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Nov 22 2022 
Turkish brand experience – Dutch marketing
Plea for more intensive brand experience of Turkish quality products with the help of Dutch marketing strategies.
In the video, the vice-chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Turkiye foundation demonstrates various Turkish products that, despite their authenticity potential, could be placed stronger and more prominently on the Dutch market. With the help of more branding and marketing, the Turkish brand experience could be formulated and implemented and executed (distribution) stronger.
Watch video. Dutch spoken, Turkish subtitles.
Visit the Chamber of Commerce foundation in Rotterdam or partner/service provider Turkish Dutch Trade in Istanbul for market research and marketing activities. Contact: peter.wolters@kvknederlandturkije.nl and/or leyla.demos@turkishdutchtrade.com
Video: with courtesy of the amazingly beautiful Charisma hotel***** Kusadasi, Turkiye.
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Nov 02 2022 
Results successful Agri trademission, Mersin & Antalya
Full of expectations and curiosity, a delegation of Dutch agri-fresh producers, importers, investors and eco-innovation experts embarked from Schiphol on 16 October for the Turkish trade city of Mersin and agri-region around Antalya. To meet the Dutch retail agri-fresh demand, Turkish ‘qualitative good and cheaper’ products were sought.
Facts, key figures, priorities
First a few facts. Türkiye closed its Agri export in 2021 with more than $1 BLN. The export of fresh vegetables, fruit and related products increased by 9% in the first 6 months of 2022 compared to 2021 to 551 million. The Turkish target for agri-fresh in 2023 is 1.5 MLD. The most important export countries for Türkiye are Germany $93 MLN, US 87 MLN and Russia 65 MLN. In total, Türkiye exports to 122 countries.
Türkiye is looking for innovative solutions to deal with priorities in climate change, sustainable agriculture, residue-free agriculture and reducing logistics costs. The country has the ambition to use 30-50% less chemicals to start with mandarins, pomegranates and tomatoes.
B2B match making
More than 50 enthusiastic Turkish producers registered on October 17 to meet 11 Dutch delegation members during the first B2B matching session in Mersin. Matching is more than just shaking hands and getting to know each other. It requires thorough preparation, sometimes a month or two in advance, in order to align supply and demand. This was facilitated by the local Dutch-Turkish-speaking service provider Dutch Turkish Trade Consulting (DTTC). There was close collaboration with the Mersin Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MTSO).
The delegation visited several greenhouses by bus. Everywhere the Dutch were very hospitable welcomed with Turkish tea and homemade cookies for an informal introduction. Subsequently, greenhouses were entered, fruit tasted, hygiene, safety standards, EU and other certification checked.
Selection of companies visited: TARGID; EREN TARIM; AKSUN TARIM. In addition, also companies or greenhouses with peppers, tomatoes and a juicy citrus field.
Ample time was taken to ask many questions. Ultimately, the quality must be constant and reliable. Questions were about production, storage, packaging, distribution, etc.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of promoting cooperation was signed by the chairmen of the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands – Türkiye foundation and the Mersin Chamber of Commerce & Industry, one of the oldest Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye with more than 16,000 members.
The process was supported by a very hospitable board and secretariat of MTSO. Read more about Mersin’s Agri Food sector such as climate and soil, R&D settings, agri production quantity, export and production seasonal calendar.
Open arms
Much inspired, the delegation took a domestic flight from Mersin to Adana airport and from there to travel by bus to the next trade mission destination: Antalya. More B2B matchmaking conversations were facilitated on October 19 in a representative hotel in Antalya. In a conference room, conversations were organised between Dutch members and Turkish producers at specified time intervals.
Individual company visits were carried out at the request of some delegation members. Obviously, these were always accompanied by a driver and a Turkish interpreter. A photographer was also continuously present to capture the management, the business environment, products and packaging methods. Selection of company visits October 19: Meysan and Ergida Tarim.
They were welcomed with open arms because the participating Dutch companies represent a total turnover of +/- € 575 MLN, which corresponds to the six-monthly Turkish Agri export in 2021. The participating companies are administratively supported by RAAD International.
Smart ‘green’ Turks
The delegation was presented with a lecture by Sivas Cumhuriyet University on October 20. As part of the “Net Green” project, tasty products are produced under optimal hygienic conditions without fertilization, sprinkling and excessive irrigation. Sustainability is taken seriously by Turks. The delegation members then visited several (logistics) companies and fruit and seed production greenhouses. Selection: Adalya Fresh; Ebeyler Tarim.
Exhibition
The Interfresh Eurasia fair was also on the program on 20 October. 41 Turkish exhibitors / exporters (websites available for delegation members) met buyers from many countries. Just like during the previous trade mission in 2021, Turkish ‘TRT’ television yet again engaged with the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Türkiye foundation for a brief conversation with the chairman and vice chairman at the exhibition.
Pleasant social moments such as lunches and dinners were a permanent part of the program. The bow cannot always be tense! Even for culture lovers there was an unexpected moment: a visit to the historic city of Taurus with the well of the Apostle Peter. Also used for fresh grapes at the time!
Additional market research
Getting to know the Turkish trade culture, building trust and eventually converting contacts into contracts is the ultimate goal of a trade mission. If desired, delegation members can request additional personal guidance, market and product studies from Dutch Turkish Trade Consulting for a fee. The not-for-profit foundation Chamber of Commerce Netherlands – Türkiye ensures that the quality of the service is guaranteed.
Joy after business
The return journey started on Friday 21 October from Antalya via the new, impressive Istanbul Airport to Schiphol. Some delegation members continued to enjoy themselves for several days. They combined work and private life while enjoying the beautiful beaches and good quality hotels on the Turkish Riviera. It runs on the south coast of Türkiye on the Mediterranean Sea from Marmaris-Antalya to past Alanya.
Interested in participating? Inform us about the needs or specifications of your company or sector via the registration form.
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Jul 27 2022 
Chairman MKB (SME) Rotterdam meets CCNT foundation
Chairman Pieter van Klaveren of MKB (Small and Medium sizes Enterprises) Rotterdam honored the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Turkiye foundation and the intercultural expertise center Inter-Focus with a visit on 20 July 2022. The common thread that runs between both organizations under the same roof is the intercultural added value of people for companies.
Small and medium-sized enterprises in the Rotterdam region are the driving force behind the economy. With over 800 affiliated members and 14,000 contacts, MKB Rotterdam is a representative network for entrepreneurs.
Common themes of interests include international entrepreneurship, sustainability and vitality. Understanding each other, daring to take risks, creating jobs and maintaining healthy and therefore productive staff. That is what both organizations stand for and go for!
More Turkish entrepreneurs in SME decision-making
The economy may be doing reasonably well, but new challenges are quickly taking the place of optimism. It is important that entrepreneurs can tap from all ‘barrels’ in terms of new markets, new customers, new candidates and retain existing staff within the gate.
Dutch-Turkish entrepreneurs with all their knowledge, skills and other resources should actually be more affiliated with established Dutch SME associations. Ultimately, citizens, consumers, customers, suppliers and other potential partners are becoming increasingly diverse and colorful.
The Chamber of Commerce foundation wants to initiate more dialogue between Turkish and Dutch entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs with Turkish roots should be better connected. The foundation wants to spar with SME entrepreneurs about possible flight paths in Dutch companies.
Intercultural listening is gold
Vitality of existing staff and reintegration of sick and incapacitated staff is a concrete challenge, certainly in the context of the Poortwachter Improvement Act, which can cost entrepreneurs money. In the case of Dutch personnel with a non-Western background, there is an extra dimension in terms of cultural differences, language barrier and ignorance about the rules and duties in reintegration and personal injury. Listening comprehension in Turkish or other exotic languages with professional help from the intercultural expertise center Inter-Focus is gold…
In the field of internationalization, Rotterdam entrepreneurs have been invited to participate in the next trade mission to Turkey at the end of October 2022. The successes of Dutch participants during the previous trade mission in 2021 (video report) will be continued!
*Photo: Ethem Emre, Pieter van Klaveren, Peter Wolters, Leyla De Mos
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Jul 25 2022 
AGRI TRADE MISSION OCTOBER 2022: ARE YOU JOINING (AGAIN) TO TÜRKIYE?
In October 2021, the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Türkiye Foundation (CCNT) organised in collaboration with RAAD International B.V. an exciting trademission to Türkiye. The successes for our delegates during and after this mission (video report) have motivated us to organize another trade mission in October 2022.
Also you can experience excellent commercial opportunities that Turkiye offers entrepreneurs!
The board of the CCNT cordially invites you to join us October 17, 2022. Due to the war in Ukraine and the devaluation of the Turkish Lira, we observe opportunities for Turkish fruit and vegetables. Let’s discover booming Türkiye together! Other sectors can be facilitated separately on request.
PROGRAM
Departure on Sunday 16 October. On Monday, October 17, we are welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mersin. Monday afternoon, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning B2B fruit and vegetable meetings in Mersin and Antalya. Thursday October 20 visit to the InterFresh Eurasia fair in Antalya with exhibitors in the fruit and vegetable sector and logistics. More info.
During the trip, the CCNT creates access to a broad network of Turkish entrepreneurs, growers, exporters, importers and institutions. You exchange experiences with your travel companions and Turkish entrepreneurs. You can indicate which (type of) growers/entrepreneurs you wish to visit. In this way, you meet targeted parties and you gain new insights into the extensive opportunities that the Turkish fresh produce market offers.
COSTS
These amount to ± €2,200 incl. flights, hotels, local transport, guide/interpreter, lunch and dinners. We are pleased to discuss any options for your specific wishes during a personal meeting. The CCNT monitors quality and provides access to a large Turkish network; TDTC in Istanbul organizes and facilitates on site with Dutch-speaking trade experts and RAAD International advises.
Interested? Register by sending your wishes through this webpage (bottom page), or email to info@kvknederlandturkije.nl. We will subsequently contact you. One thing is for sure: it will be a fantastic trip with – in addition to the business activities – also plenty of time for social interaction!
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Apr 11 2022 
Meeting Turkish healthcare sector at embassy
At the beginning of March, a preparatory meeting took place at the Turkish embassy in The Hague between the Chamber of Commerce foundation and TOBB, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges, more specifically the Turkish Health Tourism Sector Assembly department.
The Turkish minister of trade has declared the Netherlands as ‘Target and priority country in health tourism’. The minister is eager to place the Turkish health tourism in the Netherlands more firmly on the map, more concretely in the form of a large Expo in Amsterdam.
It can’t be ignored: in 2021, half a million foreign patients have sought and found treatment in Turkey.
The Chamber of Commerce foundation has been bringing the modern hospital infrastructure and expertise in Turkey to the attention of health insurers in the Netherlands for some time now, albeit with an emphasis on planned care (read Turkish care capacity for Dutch queue).
Which Dutch B2B target groups are expected at the Expo in Amsterdam?
In the first place general practitioners, health insurers or insurance companies and relevant public institutions. Also: hospitals, (dental) clinics, IVF centers, hair transplant centers, dermatological clinics, aesthetic centers, rehabilitation centers, elderly care and nursing homes. It will be possible to make agreements – whether commercial or not – with these parties.
B2C target groups are Dutch tourists with Turkish root who are about to book a holiday to Turkey. In addition, services are also offered to native Dutch people. In personal conversations, one can explain health problems, care and thermal tourism. Belgian and German interested parties are also welcome.
The Chamber of Commerce foundation has offered to assist the Turkish organizer of the Expo:
– Office facilities of the Chamber of Commerce in Rotterdam
– Tourism branding and marketing advice combined with business trade missions
– Digital services / compiling contact database with Dutch target groups
Location Expo: Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre, Amsterdam. May 20-21. Contact
Supported by DEIK (Foreign Economic Relations Board) and OHSAD (Association of Private Hospitals and Health Institutions).