Türkiye's $8 billion e-export strategy wins industry approval
Baku, April 3, AZERTAC
Industry representatives have shown strong support for the Ministry of Trade’s goal to reach $8 billion in e-export volume by 2025, according to Daily Sabah.
Mustafa Gültepe, president of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Thursday that he has big ambitions for Türkiye’s export sector. Gültepe emphasized the long-term goal of making the country one of the top 10 exporting countries globally.
Reflecting on global trade trends, Gültepe noted that the share of e-exports in total exports is rapidly growing. “Global e-export volume is expected to reach $3.2 trillion in 2024. While Türkiye has not yet reached its desired level, the share of e-exports within total exports is increasing. In 2022, the share was 0.9%, growing to 2.1% in 2023 and 2.6% in 2024. Our e-export volume, which was $2.2 billion in 2022, rose to $5 billion in 2023 and $6.4 billion in 2024. This year, we expect at least $8 billion in e-exports,” Gültepe said.
He added that by 2028, when Türkiye aims for $375 billion in total exports, the share of e-exports will rise to 10%, equating to a target of $37.5 billion in e-exports.
Gültepe emphasized the importance of building infrastructure alongside setting ambitious targets. "For this purpose, we have established the E-Export Secretariat within TIM. We guide firms through their digital trade journeys and ensure they are not left alone. This year, we plan to organize a comprehensive e-export trade delegation,” he said.
The ministry’s support has been critical in accelerating this growth, according to Gültepe. He explained that the completion of the regulatory infrastructure in 2022 and the introduction of e-export support mechanisms have been pivotal in boosting the sector. "We believe that diversifying and enriching support mechanisms will further contribute to the growth of our e-exports," he added.
Competitive market
Hakan Çevikoğlu, head of the Electronic Commerce Operators Association (ETID), highlighted Türkiye’s strategic location, strong manufacturing capacity and extensive market access as factors that position it as a significant global export player. Despite global economic challenges, Türkiye's 2024 export performance has displayed positive growth, he noted.
Çevikoğlu emphasized that while traditional exports continue to grow, the rapid development of the country's e-commerce ecosystem presents a major opportunity. "Today, 550,000 companies in Türkiye sell their products via e-commerce, and many firms offering pre-sale and after-sale services contribute to the growth of the sector. With the rise of e-commerce, firms that are skilled in its dynamics now possess the competencies to compete in international markets," he said.
