The 13th Smart SME Digital Transformation Conference was held in Sakarya
- Sakarya Economy News
- Oct 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Sponsored by Turkcell Digital Business Services and Mastercard as main sponsors; with Hepsiburada, Logo Software, and Tami as platinum sponsors, and Eclit as a gold sponsor, the Smart SME Digital Transformation Conference addressed key topics regarding the digital transformation journey of SMEs.
Under the auspices of TOBB and hosted by SATSO, the program also included local partnerships with the Sakarya Commodity Exchange, Akyazı Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Akyazı Commodity Exchange.
The event was attended by SATSO Chairman of the Board A. Akgün Altuğ and Assembly President Erdem Ercan, along with Sakarya Deputy Governor Mehmet Polat, Rector of Sakarya University Prof. Dr. Hamza Al, Smart SME Executive Board Members Başar Ceylan and Ümit Öncel, as well as heads of local professional organizations such as ETD, ASKON, TÜMSİAD, SAKARYAGİAD, SAMİB, SASİAD, provincial directors of public institutions, SATSO Board and Assembly Members, SATSO Committee-Commission-Council Chairs and Members, and numerous company representatives from SATSO member firms.
Sakarya Hosts 34,000 SMEs
The event began with opening speeches by SATSO Chairman of the Board A. Akgün Altuğ and Smart SME Executive Board Member Başar Ceylan.
Taking the podium, SATSO Chairman A. Akgün Altuğ said:
“Digitalization is no longer a choice for SMEs; it is a mandatory condition for survival and competitiveness. As one of the production arteries of the Marmara Region, Sakarya is home to 34,000 SMEs. While low-tech enterprises carry the burden of employment with a 19% share, high-tech companies represent a small but strategic 5%, shaping the city’s export strength in fields such as automotive, machinery, defense, and electronics. Sakarya ranks among the top in Turkey with 1 technology development zone, 24 R&D centers, 4 design centers, and 28 technological product certificates. However, we need further progress in digitalization. Globally, business practices in industries are radically changing every 3–4 years. Competitiveness is now achieved not only in product quality but also in the speed of digitalization. As the Chamber, through initiatives such as the Model Factory under establishment, tissue culture laboratory, UR-GE projects, MEXT collaboration, our Trendyol-UN-supported digital center, Co-Work, and Demoday projects, we are contributing to the digital transformation of our members.”
Digitalization Strengthens SMEs’ Competitiveness
Smart SME Executive Board Member Başar Ceylan said:
“The digitalization of our SMEs not only improves efficiency in business processes; it also enhances their competitiveness in many areas, from sustainability to e-commerce. With the right knowledge, proper guidance, and strong collaborations, we are confident that our SMEs will achieve significant progress in their digital transformation journey. As Smart SME, we will continue to stand by our SMEs at every step of this transformation.”
The program opened with a presentation by Turkcell Commercial Marketing Director Onur Tuzluoğlu, titled “The Key to Transformation on the Route of Technology: Digital Business Services.” Tuzluoğlu shared with participants the advantages that digital business solutions offer SMEs.
Moderated by journalist and author Ilgaz Gürsoy, the panel “SMEs and a Sustainable Future” featured Mastercard SME Products Director Nihan Koçak, who explained critical steps SMEs need to take in developing sustainable business models.
In the panel “E-commerce, Payment Systems, and Digitalization of Business Processes for SMEs,” also moderated by Ilgaz Gürsoy, Logo Software Turkey General Manager Akın Sertcan, Hepsiburada Senior Marketplace Training and Partner Development Manager Sinem Süllü, and Tami Senior Corporate Customer Management Manager Akif Yazıcılar shared their experiences on how SMEs can gain a competitive advantage by digitalizing e-commerce and payment processes.
The event continued with the panel “Cloud Computing and Sustainable Business Models,” moderated by Ilgaz Gürsoy. Eclit Channel Sales Manager Oğuzhan Yüksel presented the flexibility and sustainability opportunities that cloud solutions offer SMEs.
In the special session “Green Transformation Roadmap for SMEs,” Prof. Dr. Hatice Camgöz Akdağ shared a roadmap for SMEs’ environmental sustainability and green transformation journey with the participants.
The event concluded with the panel “Local Experience,” also moderated by Ilgaz Gürsoy. Gürol Çökünlü, Digital and Smart Manufacturing Technologies Manager at Otokar, and Bülent Yazıcı, Vice Chairman of the Board at Ecoplas Automotive, shared SMEs’ local digital transformation experiences.
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