Economic Development Foundation

The Economic Development Foundation (Turkish: İktisadi Kalkınma Vakfı, İKV) is a Turkish non-governmental, non-profit research organization dedicated to the study of the European Union and Turkey–EU relations. It was established on 26 November 1965 through the joint initiative of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, two years after the Ankara Agreement entered into force. Its founding purpose was to inform both the Turkish private sector and public sector about the European integration process and the evolving relationship between Turkey and the European Union. İKV operates as a specialized institution of the Turkish private sector on EU matters. It conducts research, publishes reports and newsletters, organizes conferences and roundtables, and maintains a Brussels office — established in 1984 — to strengthen its contacts with European institutions. Its activities are supported by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, as well as by a broad range of business representatives and associations, including the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, the Turkish Exporters Assembly, the Turkish Industry and Business Association, the Istanbul Apparel Exporters' Association, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the Banks Association of Turkey, the Confederation of Turkish Employer Unions, and the Union of Chambers of Agriculture of Turkey. The foundation is headquartered in Istanbul and maintains a presence in Brussels. It publishes the İKV E-Bulletin, İKV Monthly, and various reports and information notes on topics such as digital education, climate change, gender equality, and EU legislation. Its current president is Dr. Zeytinoğlu, who has represented the foundation in Brussels and at high-level events. İKV celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025, marking six decades of work on Turkey–EU relations. As a non-profit research and advocacy organization rather than a commercial enterprise, İKV occupies a unique position in the Turkish institutional landscape: it functions as a bridge between Turkish business and European institutions, providing analysis and facilitating dialogue on integration, trade, and regulatory alignment.

The Economic Development Foundation (İktisadi Kalkınma Vakfı, İKV) was founded on 26 November 1965 as a joint initiative of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry. Its creation came two years after the Ankara Agreement between Turkey and the European Economic Community entered into force, reflecting the Turkish business community's need for a dedicated body to monitor and communicate the European integration process. The founding presidents were Fazıl Zobu and Behçet Osmanağaoğlu. From its inception, İKV's mission was to inform both the Turkish private sector and the public sector about the process of European integration and Turkey–EU relations. It quickly became a specialized institution of the Turkish private sector on EU matters, conducting research, publishing analyses, and organizing events. In 1984, İKV established offices in Brussels to improve its contacts with European institutions. This move underscored its role as a bridge between Turkish business and the European Union, allowing it to engage directly with EU officials and monitor legislative developments. Over the decades, İKV has been led by a succession of presidents drawn from the Turkish business world. After the founding presidents, Ertuğrul Soysal served from 1976 to 1978, followed by Basri Öztekin (1979–1982), Refik Baydur (1982–1983), Asım Kocabıyık (1983–1985), Jak Kamhi (1987–1992), Sedat Alaoğlu (1992–1994), Meral Gezgin Eriş (1995–2002), Davut Ökütçü (2003–2007), Haluk Kabaalioğlu (2007–2014), and Ömer Cihad Vardan (2014–). The current president is Dr. Zeytinoğlu. İKV's activities are supported by a wide range of Turkish business organizations, including the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, the Turkish Exporters Assembly, the Turkish Industry and Business Association, the Istanbul Apparel Exporters' Association, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the Banks Association of Turkey, the Confederation of Turkish Employer Unions, and the Union of Chambers of Agriculture of Turkey. In 2025, İKV celebrated its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of continuous work on Turkey–EU relations. It continues to publish the İKV E-Bulletin, İKV Monthly, and various reports and information notes, and to host conferences, roundtables, and events such as the European Mobility Week closing event and coastal cleanup activities through its Istanbul EU Information Center.

• Founded on 26 November 1965 by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry

• Established offices in Brussels to improve contacts with European institutions

• Celebrated its 60th anniversary

• Held its 64th General Assembly

• Organized a meeting on the 30th anniversary of the Customs Union with Trade Minister Prof. Dr. Bolat

A non-profit, non-governmental research foundation serving as the Turkish private sector's specialized institution on EU affairs and Turkey–EU relations.

• İKV E-Bulletin

  Weekly electronic bulletin covering Turkey–EU relations, EU and global agenda, and foundation activities.

• İKV Monthly

  Monthly publication with analyses and updates.

• Research reports and information notes

  Reports on topics such as digital education, climate change, gender equality, and EU legislation.

1. 1İKV - İKTİSADİ KALKINMA VAKFIikv.org.tr
2. 2Economic Development Foundation - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3İktisadi Kalkınma Vakfı - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org