ITO Declares 2019 'Export Year'

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) Chairman Şekib Avdagiç said, "Our direction is exports. As the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, drawing strength from our 428,000 entrepreneur members, we are declaring 2019 as the 'Export Year: Global Breath for Our Economy.'" In his statement, Avdagiç noted that they would provide stronger support to companies exporting for the first time or those that have not exported for two consecutive years, particularly manufacturing exporters. Stating that as the real sector they would work to grow the economy "without abandoning the current account surplus," Avdagiç said, "As the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, in 2019 we will be part of efforts that will make our country attractive through its production capacity. A current account surplus is only meaningful if it stems from wealth generated through value-added production." Emphasizing the importance of SMEs becoming exporters, Şekib Avdagiç said, "For every member of ours, both small and large, to export, and to be able to export, is our most important objective. Even if our small entrepreneurs make their first e-commerce sale worth 20 dollars, it may be small for that company, but when accumulated, it will be a significant step for Turkey." Avdagiç added, "Next year, we will participate in a total of 38 trade fairs with our member companies and 17,000 square meters of exhibition space from January through December, showcasing Turkish products. Through B2B meetings, stands and sector delegation programs, we will add value to our exports."

'First Steps in Exports Program'

İTO Chairman Avdagiç stated that they would restart the First Steps in Exports Program in 2019, and outlined other export-focused initiatives to be implemented: "We will organize direct technical demand-matching events specifically with the procurement departments of domestic and foreign major manufacturers. In other words, we will expand and scale up the Supplier Days we organized in 2018. We will hold Entrepreneur Days to showcase national and international support available to Turkish entrepreneurs for opening up to foreign markets. We will conduct concept seminars in areas such as trade and digital marketing with participation from all stakeholders in the sectors. Our goal is to connect those with export potential but unable to export with export opportunities."