The kick-off meeting of the Smart Trade Digital Interaction Platform (STRIDE) Project, carried out by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) with the support of the İstanbul Development Agency (İSTKA), took place on December 5, 2025 at DEİK Headquarters, bringing together representatives of İSTKA as well as a large number of participants from the business community and universities. The meeting introduced the project to the public and provided information on the implementation process and scope of STRIDE.

STRIDE Aims to Support AI Transformation in Exports

STRIDE aims to offer a scalable model for transforming foreign trade and supply chain processes through artificial intelligence (AI) across İstanbul's export ecosystem. To this end, the project seeks to make AI solutions in foreign trade accessible, affordable and commercially viable. To ensure a lasting transformation, reducing employees' resistance to AI and helping the workforce adapt to these technologies are also among the project's priorities. In addition, STRIDE aims to increase the global visibility of Turkish AI startups and to strengthen public-private coordination through a sustainable, multi-stakeholder digital platform.