Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek gave advice to companies about turning to exports and emphasized the importance of searching for foreign markets. Cenk Çiğdemli, TOBB E-commerce Council Member and Founding CEO of Ticimax E-commerce Systems, pointed out that there is a general upward trend in both micro export and B2B e-export and said, “E-export is a mine in the search for foreign markets.”
Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek recently advised companies to focus on exports and emphasized the importance of investing in areas subject to exports. Pointing out that we had a foreign trade surplus against the European Union last year, Şimşek said, “The point where the Customs Union started is not the same as the point today. There was a fear that ‘We cannot compete’. By joining the Customs Union, very serious investments have come to Turkey. We have become major exporters in very important sectors such as automotive. Last year, we had a foreign trade surplus against the European Union. Therefore, direct investments are valuable. I want to address the business world. Domestic demand will slow down in the coming period. They should definitely look for foreign markets. “We will provide all kinds of support to exporters and the business world,” he said.
BOTH MICTO AND B2B ARE ON THE RISE
Stating that there is a general upward trend in online markets as well as traditional exports, both in micro exports and B2B, i.e. e-exports between companies, TOBB E-commerce Council Member and Founding CEO of Ticimax E-commerce Systems, Cenk Çiğdemli said: In a sale (e-export), if the invoice amount excluding VAT is less than 15 thousand Euros and the weight of the goods subject to sale is less than 300 kilograms, we call this type of e-export micro export. In other words, micro export (also known as export via express cargo), unlike wholesale exports between companies as we know it, actually covers sales to the end consumer. You can make micro exports over the internet, either as a manufacturer at the SME level or as an individual seller, that is, by establishing a sole proprietorship. There are 196 countries in the world.
You can sell to any country you want, either through your website or through marketplaces. You can sell the products you produce in your own factory or workshop, you can sell the products you produce at home, you can also buy and sell. “Micro export aims to increase the export potential of sectors that trade light products in terms of load and price,” he said.
NEW DECISIONS DOPING IT CREATED ITS EFFECT
Pointing out that the e-export support package organized last year had a doping effect on the sector, TOBB E-commerce Council Member and Ticimax E-commerce Systems CEO Cenk Çiğdemli said, “15 million dollars will be paid to companies in order to promote Turkish products and brands in foreign markets and accelerate e-export.” E-export support will be provided up to TL. The upper limit of support was determined as 150 million lira for umbrella organizations. This support package will support the e-commerce ecosystem and the manufacturer in general, as well as accelerate the emergence of new businesses and business models. Thanks to these supports, new types of exporter models such as intermediaries will emerge. It will bring new companies to the sector. “The decision aims to prepare companies, marketplaces and e-commerce sites for e-Export, to exhibit and promote Turkish products and brands online in foreign markets, to support e-export delivery costs and to develop e-export.”
E-EXPORT IS LIKE A MINE FOR THE SEARCH OF FOREIGN MARKET
Pointing out that in addition to micro exports, there is an explosion in the demand for e-commerce sites for wholesale trade between companies, Çiğdemli said, “Especially our SMEs have serious awareness about online exports. But this awareness needs to be spread further. Our manufacturer should know that he can now target not only Turkey but all countries in the world when producing even the smallest product. Moreover, there are many government incentives in this field. In addition to rising prices due to inflation, supply chain delays and shortages have negatively affected pricing around the world, increasing the demand for smart commerce. This can explain the explosion in demand in online exports between companies and the rise in micro exports. “We can say that e-export is almost a mine for the search for foreign markets, which Mr. Şimşek emphasizes on the exporter,” he said.
DEMAND INCREASED
Çiğdemli stated that the mass, which has become accustomed to a personalized shopping experience over the internet, now wants to receive a similar service when making wholesale purchases for business, and said, “The demand for B2B-specific e-commerce infrastructure from wholesale companies has increased incredibly in recent months. We can say that there is almost an explosion. In order to meet these demands, we have developed new modules for intercompany e-commerce. “Such as defining price groups according to dealers, assortment sales system, sales via current account, pre-order, multi-language options and payment methods that differ according to countries,” he said.
THE NEED FOR SMART SHOPPING HAS INCREASED IN THE WORLD
Çiğdemli informed that B2B e-commerce is on the rise due to the ability to personalize product content and pricing, recognition of customers’ purchasing patterns with artificial intelligence and acceleration of purchases, and said: “There are many reasons for this, but one of the main reasons is, in addition to rising prices due to inflation, supply chain delays and Shortages have negatively affected pricing around the world. This has also increased the demand for smarter B2B commerce. Another reason is that consumers who shop online for everything from household goods to groceries have become accustomed to seamless, personalized experiences. “People now want to have a similar experience in wholesale shopping,” he said.
GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES
E-export support figures have been updated for 2023. When we look at the updated figures for 2023 within the scope of new e-export supports, companies engaged in e-export will receive 27 million liras, B2B platforms will receive 7.2 million liras, and retail e-commerce sites, marketplaces and e-export consortiums will receive 81.4 million liras. will be able to receive e-export support for as many different items. I think these figures are a great opportunity, especially for SMEs. The state also has many incentives and supports in terms of advertising and marketing.