Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said that from the first day of the outbreak, they have focused on identifying entrepreneurs’ demands and problems and producing solutions; stressing that the process is dynamic, and that demand and problems should be forwarded to TOBB through chambers and exchanges.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that there is no place for pessimism in this process, and said:

“Never feel alone. We're here. We're in charge of our mission for you. Communication is very important. We have to move fast. Communicate your problems to us. Tell us about the troubles so that we can communicate it to our government, and we will seek solutions. The entrepreneur never gives up, never stops, never falls. I believe this problem will pass. I trust you.”

The portal also introduces services offered by TOBB and Facebook to SMEs in Turkey, which includes online training for SMEs such as “Stand Out with Facebook,” “SMEs Without Borders,” and “She Means Business,” programs to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

In addition to the support provided by the Ministry to companies, videos promoting services of the Ministry of Commerce are also shared on the portal through the accounts of experts. In the portal, which will include programs for SMEs in the first phase, the second phase will provide training for tradesmen.

- Minister of Commerce Ruhsar Pekcan

Commenting on the cooperation, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan pointed out that the Covid-19 outbreak, which is a global threat, has also caused a change in consumption and living habits, adding that this change provides time to use social media and online platforms more.

In order to ensure that citizens have the fastest and easiest access to information about the Ministry's services, Pekcan stated that they have carried out various educational activities such as “Export Academy,” “Virtual Trade Academy,” from digital media, and said:

“In this context, we also cooperated with Facebook. We strive to digitize all our business and operations related to our Ministry and all our services. We strive to provide our services to our SMEs, tradesmen, exporters, trade people and citizens with the benefits of digitization. We wanted to remind you that we are with you in these difficult times by calling out from this platform.”

- Facebook Turkey Public Policy Department Head Çağatay Pekyörür

Çağatay Pekyörür, head of Facebook Turkey's Public Policy Department, said that with the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak are continuing around the world, adding that they have seen SMEs are one of the most affected parties in this process.

“I believe that through our online training programs and resources on our SME assistance page, which we have implemented together with the Ministry of Commerce and TOBB, we will help our SMEs in Turkey to minimize the unexpected challenges they face during this difficult period.”