CTCV

Technological Center for Ceramic and Glass

Antanhol, Portugal

Subject: Request for a site visit

6 February 2024

Dear Sir/Madam

I hope this mail finds you well. My name is Sezgin Akan, and I am currently serving as the Team
Leader for Technical Assistance for Improving Digitalization and Creativity Ecosystem in the
Kütahya (Kütahya ID Project) supported by the European Union and implemented by the TC
Ministry of Industry and Technology within the framework of IPA 2 (Instrument for Pre-Accession)
program. The beneficiary is Kütahya Municipality with project partners as;
o Kütahya Chamber of Commerce and Industry
o Kütahya Chamber of Çini Artisans, Photographers and Handicrafts,
o Dumlupınar University
o Zafer Development Agency.

The project is designed to support Kütahya çini and the ceramic sector which is one of Turkey’s
best examples of creative industries. While the art of çini was registered in the UNESCO Intangible
Cultural Heritage List of Humanity in 2016, Kütahya became a part of the UNESCO Creative Cities
Network in the field of Crafts and Folk Arts in 2017.

The project will elevate the çini and ceramic sector, a vital component of Kütahya's local economy,
by enhancing its product design capabilities, embracing digitalization across design, prototyping,
production, and marketing platforms, and establishing a unique brand identity for Kütahya’s
products. The major output of the Project which is the Kütahya ID Hub will be based in Kütahya
serving SMEs, entrepreneurs, çini and ceramic artists, artisans, and designers with the services of;
o product design and prototyping
o R & D projects for production
o guarantee mark to support quality and authenticity standards
o digital design inventory to preserve traditional patterns and forms
o marketing, branding networking consultancies
o training to transfer knowledge and development of skills

In the Kütahya ID Project, we are sure that constructive cooperation is as important as

knowledge and creativity. To be able to preserve cultural heritage and transform it with today’s
technology to bring added value to society we are committed to engaging the help of external
partners both nationally and internationally.

This is why I am reaching out to express our keen interest in paying a visit to your esteemed
technological centre. The purpose of this visit will be to get familiarized with your competencies
(product testing, product design and rapid prototyping, R&D projects, and training services for the
ceramic industry) and after that introduce our capabilities. The utmost aim is to explore potential
avenues for collaboration, share the best practices, and establish long-term constructive
cooperation between our centres.

Our visiting team will be headed by the Project Manager of the Contracting Authority TC Ministry
of Industry and Technology, representatives of the beneficiaries as Kütahya Municipality and above
listed partnering institutions with a total of 10 people.

The tentative date for our visit is 6 March 2024.

Thank you for your attention and I anticipate the potential for a mutually beneficial collaboration.

Your prompt response would be appreciated.

Best Regards.

Sezgin Akan

Team Leader,
Technical Assistance for Improving Digitalization and Creativity Ecosystem in the Kütahya (Kütahya
ID Project)