Adil Pelister was born in Istanbul in 1962 and successfully graduated from the Chemical Engineering Department of Istanbul Technical University in 1983. Fluent in German and English, he is married and has two children. He has worked as a chemical engineer for over 35 years and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of a chemical company. For the past six years, he has been recognized as the top exporter in his category. Throughout his career, Mr. Pelister has actively contributed to numerous boards and organizations, including the Istanbul Chamber of Chemical Professional Committee, the Istanbul Chamber of Industry's Organized Industrial Area Development Board, and the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK). Since April 2018, Adil Pelister has been serving as the Chairman of the Board of IKMIB (Istanbul Chemicals and Products Exporters' Association), where he plays a vital role in promoting the economic growth of Turkish exporters and elevating Turkish companies in the global market.

1.Give us an overview of your organisation. What are your key activities and strategic focus within the healthcare sector, particularly across the GCC and MENA region?

The Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB) represent more than 20,000 Turkish exporting companies, nearly 8,000 of which are actively engaged in international trade. As a leading sectoral association, İKMİB’s mission is to support and empower its member companies by strengthening Türkiye’s position as a reliable global supplier of high-quality, innovative, and sustainable chemical and healthcare products.In the healthcare industry, İKMİB plays a strategic role in connecting Turkish manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and hospital supplies with buyers across the GCC and MENA regions. These regions have long-standing trade and cultural ties with Türkiye, and our goal is to build on that foundation through national pavilions, B2B programs, and strategic partnerships. Through our “Turkish Healthcare” brand, we aim to showcase the quality, reliability, and competitive edge of Turkish medical products — all while promoting a vision of regional collaboration in healthcare innovation and resilience.

2. What emerging trends and critical challenges do you believe are most significantly influencing the industry's trajectory in this region?

The MENA healthcare market is entering a new era of transformation. Digitalization, sustainability, and self-sufficiency have become the core themes shaping its future. We see strong government investments in healthcare infrastructure, AI-based health technologies, and local production capabilities — all of which present opportunities for international cooperation. Türkiye is a natural partner in this transformation, given its robust industrial base and advanced production ecosystem. However, the sector still faces challenges, particularly in supply chain resilience, regulatory harmonization, and cost efficiency. At İKMİB, we believe overcoming these challenges requires closer cooperation between public and private stakeholders — not only within countries but across the entire region.

3. What is your strategic outlook for the healthcare sector over the next decade? How do you anticipate the industry will evolve?

Healthcare in the coming decade will be data-driven, personalized, and sustainable. We expect rapid adoption of telemedicine, precision medicine, robotics, and AI-supported diagnostics. These technologies will help make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and equitable. From Türkiye’s perspective, we are confident that our industry will continue evolving from a production hub into an innovation hub — exporting not just products, but knowledge, design, and R&D capability. Our long-term vision is to position Turkish healthcare as a trusted global partner, offering solutions that combine quality, affordability, and innovation for emerging and developed markets alike.

4. What role does innovation play in your organisation's strategic framework? Please elaborate on your R&D initiatives and share insights into any significant projects currently in development or recently launched.

Innovation lies at the heart of İKMİB’s strategy. We are proud to announce that the Chemical Technology Center, Turkey’s most ambitious industrial innovation project in the chemical sector, is now fully operational. The Centre, located in Bilişim Vadisi (Gebze/Kocaeli), occupies around 7,000 m² and includes a 1,650 m² dedicated incubator zone for start-ups and high-value R&D initiatives. It offers a full suite of laboratory services — instrumental analysis, chemical tests, microbiology and molecular biology labs, physical and mechanical testing — enabling our member firms to conduct over 200 different test types locally under international standards, including 39 tests previously only possible abroad. By providing this domestic infrastructure, we are delivering significant time-and-cost savings for our exporters, reducing dependency on foreign testing, and supporting Turkey’s ambition to move from being a production hub to an innovation hub. The Center also serves as a dynamic ecosystem for start-ups in the chemical, plastics, cosmetics and healthcare device sectors, offering incubation, mentoring and access to advanced facilities. This initiative is a concrete step towards our “Vision 2030” for the Turkish chemical industry.” This center brings together R&D laboratories, pilot production units, a digital library, and an entrepreneurship incubation hub under one roof. It serves as a key ecosystem for developing high-value-added products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and advanced materials. We also collaborate closely with the Ministry of Industry and Technology through the Technology-Oriented Industry Move Program, which supports investments in biotechnological drugs, robotic surgical systems, and medical imaging technologies. These projects are shaping Türkiye’s transition toward a high-tech, innovation-led economy.

5. How is your organisation integrating sustainability principles into your healthcare operations? If any, what specific initiatives have you implemented to minimise environmental impact and advance sustainable healthcare practices?

Sustainability is no longer optional; it is a strategic imperative. İKMİB’s Sustainability Action Plan guides our members toward greener and more efficient production models. We actively promote the circular economy, energy and water efficiency, and green technology adoption across our member companies. By supporting eco-design and carbon footprint reduction initiatives, we aim to align Türkiye’s healthcare and chemical industries with the EU Green Deal and Türkiye’s 2053 Net-Zero vision. Our objective is simple: to ensure that every export we make contributes not only to economic growth but also to environmental and social well-being.

6. What innovations or solutions is your organisation planning to present at WHX Dubai 2026? Are there any particular offerings you are especially excited to showcase and experience yourself?

At WHX Dubai 2026, we are proud to present a dynamic national pavilion under the “Turkish Healthcare” brand, featuring leading Turkish manufacturers from pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and hospital equipment sectors. This year, our focus is on sustainable production, highlighting how Turkish companies integrate technology and responsibility into every step of their value chain. Personally, I am especially excited to witness how collaboration at WHX will spark new partnerships that shape the future of healthcare in our region.

7. Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to extend a warm invitation to all visitors and industry partners to join us at the Türkiye Pavilion at WHX Dubai 2026. Together, we can build a stronger bridge between innovation, sustainability, and global healthcare cooperation. Türkiye stands ready — not only as a reliable supplier but as a visionary partner for a healthier future.