Strategic Meeting in Istanbul: Mehmet Özdil and Hamza Cebeci Discussed the Future of Small Business Owners and the Ahilik Culture

Mehmet Özdil, Founding President of the International Tradesmen’s Union (UEB), visited Hamza Cebeci, President of the International Vuslat Platform Association and a leading figure in civil society and the bureaucracy. During the meeting, which covered a wide range of strategic topics—from the universal values of the Ahilik culture to the digital transformation of tradespeople—joint projects and institutional collaborations were discussed.

During this meaningful meeting, which featured an exchange of ideas on models of social and economic development, a shared vision was emphasized regarding the need for tradespeople and artisans to achieve the level of representation they deserve on the international stage.

Mehmet Özdil: “We Held Productive Consultations on Joint Projects”

Following the visit, Mehmet Özdil, Founding President of UEB, highlighted the importance of civil society-level collaborations and noted that they had held a productive meeting, stating:

"We visited Mr. Hamza Cebeci, President of the International Vuslat Platform Association. During this valuable meeting, we discussed our Ahilik culture, the challenges and expectations of our artisans, the work we are carrying out as the International Artisans’ Union (UEB), the digital transformation of the artisan sector, export opportunities, grants and incentives, and our goal of ensuring products reach consumers from producers at more affordable and fair prices.

We held highly productive consultations regarding the strong international representation of our artisan values, the development of partnerships, and the creation of joint projects for the future. I would like to thank Mr. Hamza Cebeci and the Vuslat Platform family for their gracious hospitality, warm conversations, and the close attention they have shown to our small business organization, and I wish them success in their endeavors."