The Genç TİM Project Comes to Life

Turkey Exporters Council (TİM) has launched the Young TİM project to increase the number of young exporters and develop the next generation of export professionals. Through this new initiative, TİM aims to build a Turkey that rises through exports, led by young people. Young TİM brings together young exporters working at leading Turkish companies across all sectors. The Young TİM Board of Directors is required to maintain a proportion of female board members equal to at least the overall proportion of female members. Sharing the objectives and roadmap of Young TİM, TİM President İsmail Gülle said: "Exports represent a social legacy that must be passed on to younger generations. What matters most for us is carrying this national asset, this spirit and enthusiasm into the future, bringing it to our youth. Our goal is to build a Turkey that rises through exports, led by our young people. We will encourage our youth to engage in exports, increase their access to foreign markets, and make them export ambassadors in commercial diplomacy. We are starting this journey with 131 members in the founding phase. Hopefully, within 5 years, as our exports reach 300 billion dollars, we will increase Young TİM membership to 500." Turkey Exporters Council (TİM), the umbrella organization of 61 exporter associations, 27 sectors and 100,000 exporters, continues its work at full speed to achieve its goal of "Turkey with Trade Surplus" and to encourage all segments of society to engage in exports. To this end, TİM has established Young TİM to ensure the sustainability of exports, develop the next generation of export professionals, increase the number of young exporters and promote young entrepreneurship in the business world. In the founding phase, 131 young exporters from all sectors participated. TİM President İsmail Gülle shared the roadmap and objectives of the new organization at a press conference attended by Young TİM exporters working at leading Turkish companies.

Why Young TİM?

Emphasizing that Young TİM will work for and produce results for young people through committees to be established in many areas from commercial diplomacy to international cooperation, from e-exports to export ambassadorship, TİM President İsmail Gülle said: "Youth has always been our energy throughout history; the most precious asset that emerges when we say 'everything is over'. Youth is not merely an age group. For us, youth means the enthusiasm to continue with vigor, the energy to say 'I can do better', courage, intelligence and, most importantly, integrity. As TİM, we are aware of the potential of our young people. For this reason, we have established Young TİM not only as a place where experienced exporters serve as role models for the young, but where young exporters also inspire each other, share their experiences and encourage one another. Through Young TİM, we aim to ensure sustainability in our exports, develop the next generation of export professionals, increase the number of young exporters, promote young entrepreneurship in the business world, and establish cooperation with national and international counterpart organizations for our youth."

"We will organize an annual 'Young TİM Export Summit'"

Noting that they will provide training to young people for sustainable futures, İsmail Gülle said: "We will encourage our youth to engage in exports, increase their access to foreign markets, and make them export ambassadors in commercial diplomacy. On the Young TİM agenda, under the patronage of our President, there are activities spanning a wide range including the organization of an annual Young TİM Export Summit, young exporter-focused sustainable activities, training programs, cooperation with national and international institutions and organizations, virtual and physical trade missions, and business forums."

Who can become a Young TİM member?

Emphasizing that they have designed Young TİM for members up to 40 years of age who have voting rights in exporter associations, TİM President Gülle noted the following: We are starting this journey with 131 members in the founding phase. Hopefully, within 5 years, as our exports reach 300 billion dollars, we will increase Young TİM membership to 500. We evaluated our bylaws, which contain details on the structure and operation of Young TİM, item by item at our consultation meeting and adopted them. We selected our 18 vice presidents who will be responsible for the committees within Young TİM as a result of consultations held with our associations. We have added all necessary provisions to our bylaws to ensure that Young TİM has an efficient, transparent, equitable and sustainable structure.

'Young TİM Bylaws'

1. It includes members who have voting rights in Exporter Associations and are up to 40 years of age (40 years inclusive).
2. There are 12 Vice Presidents, with the TİM President serving as Honorary President. The number of Vice Presidents may be increased with the approval of the TİM President. Vice Presidents will be selected from regional representatives designated by the General Secretariat and independent members.
3. Persons defined in the first article who have voting rights in Exporter Associations and are in that age group automatically become Young TİM members.
4. The Board of Directors, appointed by the TİM President, submits a 12-month business plan to the TİM President within 30 days and, at the end of each period, submits a report on achievements together with a new 12-month report.
5. The Young TİM Board of Directors must include female board members in a proportion at least equal to the overall proportion of female members.