Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Organized at the İstanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention Center with the contribution of the Electronic Commerce Operators Association (ETİD) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Türkiye E-Commerce Council, with Anadolu Agency (AA) as its Global Communication Partner, the program is being held under the theme “Future-Commerce.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony attended by Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, TOBB Vice Chairman Tamer Kıran expressed his hope that this event, which holds special significance as the first of its kind, would grow each year and become a tradition in the sector.

Kıran stated that the sustainable development of e-commerce would only be possible if it established a strong interaction with production, saying, “Simply digitizing sales channels will not be sufficient to achieve our country’s goals. It is imperative that our production infrastructure not only keep pace with this transformation but also guide it. The growth of e-commerce will only be possible if production develops at a speed and with the flexibility to meet this growth. Because no matter how powerful the digital storefront is, if the production capacity behind it is not sufficiently developed, it will not be possible to achieve sustainable growth. In this regard, it is essential that the production side, as well as the sales side, be digitized, scaled, and have its value-added production capacity increased.”

Referring to global growth forecasts by international organizations, Kıran stated that global growth is expected to reach 3.2% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026.

Kıran stated that while a downward trend in global growth is observed, what needs to be carefully considered is that, contrary to past trends, growth in world trade will lag behind global growth. He said, “According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates, by the end of 2025, Türkiye will be the 11^th largest economy in the world and the 4^th largest in Europe in terms of purchasing power parity. However, according to World Trade Organization data, we rank 23^rd in goods exports and 22^nd in services exports. At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, our ministries, platforms, and producers have a great responsibility to ensure that Türkiye gets its fair share in global trade. For this reason, we must focus on value-added production and improve the quality of our trade with products that incorporate medium and high technology.”

- “We are working with all stakeholders in our sector at both the national and international levels.”

TOBB Türkiye E-Commerce Council Chairman Ozan Acar stated that they had organized an important meeting for the sector, noting that their goal was to pave the way for entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses and contribute to Türkiye’s digital trade vision.

Acar said that in the age of artificial intelligence, e-commerce is not just a part of the economy, but a strategic lever that increases competitiveness, the registered economy, and consumer welfare. “As this sector grows, everyone wins. Just as all boats rise when the tide rises, when e-commerce grows, it drags a huge ecosystem with it,” he said.

Acar stated that they are working with all stakeholders in the sector on both a national and international scale, adding, “We continue to contribute to the legislative process with the proposals we have prepared in close cooperation with our Ministry of Trade. This coordination is giving serious momentum to Türkiye’s digital trade journey.”

Acar, who says that the artificial intelligence revolution has reshaped companies and governments, stated, “The world’s pace is now much faster. Today, it’s not the biggest that survive, but those who adapt the fastest. Adaptation is no longer a choice, but a reflex, a necessity, and the most critical competency of the new era. For this very reason, while the public and private sectors can be seen at the same table and offer a climate of trust, the private sector needs to demonstrate a dynamism that seeks innovation and can transform quickly.”

Following the opening speeches, awards were presented in 12 categories.

(A.A.)