Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Witnessed by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu the protocol for the launch of e-export training for SMEs was signed by TOBB Board Member Zeki Kıvanç and the Rector of Boğaziçi University. Dr. Mehmet Özkan and Vice President for Growth of Amazon Europe Alex Ootes at the ceremony held at TOBB.

Training seminars will be provided by Boçaziçi University Lifelong Learning Center experts throughout Turkey in chambers of commerce and industry affiliated with TOBB. The seminars, covering topics such as e-export related opportunities, export business growth path and sales opportunities offered by Amazon, aim to reach 2,000 SMEs in Turkey during the 2019-2020 period, with 40 training seminars in 20 provinces.

In his speech at the signing ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the world is moving faster with digital technologies, “While those unable to adapt to this pace are thrown to the curb, there are opportunities for those who can adapt. One of these opportunities is e-export. We are starting a new collaboration with Amazon and Boğaziçi University to develop e-export skills of our SMEs. E-export is a very effective tool to increase the number of exporters and the countries we export to as well as the number of exports. In the past, exporting companies had to establish a sales and marketing network in their target markets or find a vehicle to sell their products. The times have changed. SMEs have direct access to consumers abroad through e-commerce platforms. In cooperation with Amazon and Boğaziçi University, we will teach our SMEs how to use the Amazon platform for export to Europe. SME will offer its product to European consumers through Amazon.”

Speaking about the cooperation agreement, the Rector of Boğaziçi University. Dr. Mehmet Özkan reported that the Boçaziçi University Lifelong Learning Center organizes many training programs for small and medium-sized enterprises and the business world in Turkey to contribute to the development of the private sector.

Özkan stated that Boğaziçi University considers providing information produced for the benefit of the society and supporting social development as an important goal. Özkan emphasized that this protocol is very important for the development of SMEs and emphasized that this study will make thousands of SMEs export more easily abroad, thus creating a business model that will improve business volumes. 

Stating that they will open the doors to export in e-commerce to SMEs with e-export program from Turkey, Vice President for Growth of Amazon Europe Alex Ootes said, “We are very excited to bring together millions of our customers with Turkish SMEs known for their entrepreneurial spirit. This cooperation we have established with TOBB and Boğaziçi University we are happy to find opportunity to be in closer contact with SMEs which comprise more than 90% of establishments in Turkey. We started e-exports from Turkey as a part of our work for development and empowerment of SMEs as Amazon. We are opening the way for e-exports for SMEs with this cooperation. As Amazon, we want to bring Turkish brands to the international arena by bringing together Turkish SMEs with millions of customers.”