New Export Support Coming

Presidential decisions numbered 3462 and 3663, published in the Official Gazette, have included sectoral virtual trade delegation organizations arranged by companies participating in UR-GE projects within the support scope, while the support rate for trade fairs attended by target sectors in target countries has been increased to 75 percent. Export support has been doubled. Steps have been taken within the framework of the Support for Development of International Competitiveness (UR-GE) projects supported by the Ministry of Trade to provide SMEs with a broader export-oriented working area. Under the heading "virtual overseas marketing activity," companies participating in needs analysis, training or consulting activities within the scope of UR-GE projects may now have virtual overseas marketing activities organized by the cooperating organization and under the coordination of the Ministry. Within the framework of the Support for Development of International Competitiveness (UR-GE) projects supported by the Ministry of Trade, physical sectoral trade delegations had not been held for 1 year due to the pandemic. Virtual Trade Delegations organized by companies within the scope of UR-GE Projects were also not included in the support scope.

7 UR-GE Projects continuing at EEB

Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator President of Aegean Exporters Associations, who stated that 7 ongoing UR-GE Projects exist within the Aegean Exporters Associations, said that sectoral trade delegations could not be organized for countries designated as target markets within the scope of these UR-GE Projects for approximately 1 year, and that with the latest regulation, companies in the 7 UR-GE Projects are now in a position to benefit from the advantages of virtual marketing. Summarizing the details of the Presidential decision, Eskinazi said, "The costs of a maximum of 10 virtual overseas marketing activities will be supported at 75 percent and up to USD 50,000 per activity. As EEB, digital marketing was at the forefront of the topics we focused on in 2021. We will concentrate on digital marketing in our 7 UR-GE Projects. We will reach our USD 15 billion export target more easily this way."

Trade fair participation will also receive additional support

With Presidential decision number 3463 published in the Official Gazette on 30 January 2021, trade fair participation to be held by target sectors in target countries has become entitled to receive state support of up to 75 percent. Underlining that Presidential decision number 3463 published in the Official Gazette is based on the vision of supporting export-oriented activities of the "automotive, machinery, electrical-electronics, food and chemical" sectors more strongly, designated as target sectors in the "Export Master Plan," EEB Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi noted that exporters operating in these 5 sectors will see the additional support rates provided by the Ministry of Trade for overseas trade fairs attended, sectoral trade delegations participated in, various units opened for trading purposes, rental payments and promotion and trademark registration expenses in target countries designated for 2021 as the USA, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, South Korea, India, Iraq, England, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Russia and Chile increased by 5 percentage points each, and added that the support previously applied at 70 percent has been raised to 75 percent. According to Presidential decision number 3463 published in the Official Gazette; sectoral trade delegation programs and overseas unit brand and promotion support will be increased by 15 percentage points in the event they are in target sectors to designated target countries. The support rate for Turkey Trade Centers established by TIM or TOBB will be increased by 20 percentage points in the event they are in target sectors to designated target countries. For overseas unit rental support, the support rate related to overseas unit rental expenses opened before 2 December 2016 will be applied at 60 percent for industrial and commercial companies and 50 percent for commercial companies. The Ministry of Trade will implement the support provided in Presidential decisions numbered 3462 and 3463.