Conference on Cluster Corporate Governance and Networking took place in Nicosia

European Commission supported a conference on corporate governance and networking for clusters on 13 July at the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce  with the participation of relevant local stakeholders and experts. The conference, organised by the EU-funded Technical Assistance for Private Sector Development (TAPS) project and the EU Infopoint, aimed to create awareness about the benefits of strengthening cluster initiatives and to discuss ways to embrace corporate governance principles as a means to encourage professionalism and competitiveness amongst the clusters in the Turkish Cypriot community. The opening speeches were made by Mr.Michael Docherty, Mr. Turgay Deniz, and Ms. Ebru Kaptan Sertoğlu.

During the conference, Mr. Vedat Kunt presented the EU perspective on clustering, cluster networking and cluster corporate governance.  Mr. Hürrem Tulga from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans, Ms. Niyal Öztürk from the EU-funded TAPS project and Mr. Donald Aquilina from the EU-funded Farm Advisory Services Project provided information on cluster development and discussed its importance for economic and rural development in the Turkish Cypriot community.  The event continued with an interactive discussion on recommendations for a way forward.

The European Union’s new Smart Guide to Cluster Policy is a practical guide targeting regional authorities and stakeholders interested in "how to make better use of clusters for promoting regional industrial modernisation, supporting the growth of SMEs and encouraging smart specialisation". It explains what cluster and cluster policies are and what they are not, what makes them successful and why they matter. It presents eight Do's and Don'ts and showcases four Smart Cluster Stories, several cluster programme examples and practical instruments implemented by regions as part of modern cluster policies.