E-Export Wave

The increase in the exchange rate made exports attractive. While some companies focus on virtual marketplaces to sell to countries around the world, others establish their own e-export sites. Selling products and services in exchange for foreign currency also whets the appetite of companies.

Stating that there are approximately 3 million SME businesses in Turkey, TOBB e-Commerce Council Member Seyhun Özkara said that currently 35 thousand companies are operating in the e-commerce sector. Pointing out that companies can potentially price the product differently due to the high exchange rate, Özkara said, “5 to 7 percent of these 35 thousand companies operate in e-export. 20-25 percent of this is producers. This rate is expected to increase further.”

Stating that the government is also working on e-export, Özkara said, “E-export has become something that has attracted more attention and been desired in the last 2 years. This situation makes the foreign market more attractive than the domestic market. Every commercial enterprise started various studies such as, let’s sell this abroad and where can we sell it?”

Potential countries where success can be achieved in e-export

Seyhun Özkara stated that countries such as Middle Eastern countries, America and Europe have attracted great attention in terms of e-export and said, “We are good in categories such as textiles in the Middle East. For example, there is potential in areas such as modest clothing, carpets, home textiles and decoration. If we look at America, we are doing well in products such as jewelry and jewelry made by smaller hand labor. Europe is a more difficult market because there are certain limits and controls regarding the entry of the product. Today, you can send a product worth up to $800 duty-free in America, but it may get stuck at customs when entering Europe.”