Türkiye should grow through production and exports, not consumption

In the meeting organized under the leadership of the EGİAD International Relations and Foreign Trade Commission; export financing opportunities, government supports, changing dynamics in global trade, and sustainable growth strategies of Turkish companies in international markets were discussed comprehensively. Türk Eximbank Aegean Regional Manager Gülom Kudal, Aegean Exporters' Associations Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi, Eximbank and EİB executives, and EGİAD Foreign Trade Ambassadors and Council members participated in the meeting. Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator President of the Aegean Exporters' Associations, who attended the meeting as the "Guest of Honor," shared his strategic evaluations regarding the transforming dynamics of global trade with the participants, with his export accumulation and leadership experience of over 40 years.

Türkiye should grow through production and exports, not consumption

Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator President of the Aegean Exporters' Associations, defining exports as a country's will for development, emphasized, "For a developing economy like Türkiye, what is as important as production is being able to make that production valuable in world markets. Export brings foreign currency, creates employment, disciplines companies, raises quality, increases productivity, and makes the country a part of global competition. A company that does not export doesnt just miss its own growth opportunity. At the same time, it does not contribute to the country's foreign trade balance, production capacity, technology development, and foreign currency income. I have always believed this: Türkiye should grow through production and exports, not consumption. This is the way to healthy growth."

Turkish exporters managed to adapt in each of these breaking moments

Jak Eskinazi listed the breaking moments that truly 'changed the game' in the expansion of Turkish companies to the world as follows:

"First, Turquality taught us branding. Second, the 2008 crisis taught us market diversification. Third, the pandemic reminded us of the value of near-production. Fourth, today's economic conditions show that we cannot survive without producing added value. Turkish exporters managed to adapt in each of these breaking moments. From now on, success will depend on how strategically we can use this adaptation capability."

Türkiye’s own country perception should be a brand

Mentioning the three biggest mistakes that limit the growth of Turkish companies in global markets, President Eskinazi stated, "Our first mistake is not being able to become a brand as a country. Today, many countries in the world manage their own country perception like a brand. Not only companies, but Türkiye also needs to be a brand. The second mistake is not producing according to the market. The same product doesnt find a response in every market. Europe's expectation is different, America's is different. To be successful, it is necessary to shape production according to the market. The third important deficiency is after-sales service and sustainable relationship management. The customer works with you not just for an order, but for a long-term trust relationship. There is competitiveness, practicality, quick comprehension and adaptation, and a strong reflex in customer relations in the DNA of the Turkish exporter."

We cannot enter a cost race with China and India, but we can surpass them in speed, quality, and design

Evaluating Türkiye falling behind in the competition with China, India, and the Far East, Eskinazi emphasized, "Türkiye isnt in the same lane as China and India. They compete with economies of scale, low cost, and very large volumes. It isnt right or possible for us to enter that race. Our competition area should be design, quality, speed, flexibility, and trust. In other words, Türkiye should not be the 'cheapest producer' but the 'smartest and fastest solution partner.' Today, the most important reason for orders shifting to China, India, and the Far East is the cost advantage. This is also one of the points where Türkiye falls behind: not being able to integrate sufficiently into the global trade system. Especially the India-EU Free Trade Agreement is very critical in this respect, and the updating of the Customs Union with the EU is very critical. We cannot enter a cost race with China and India, but we can surpass them in speed, quality, and design."

We can achieve a very serious growth in e-commerce and digital brands

Digitalization was another prominent topic in the meeting. President Eskinazi stated, "It isnt as easy as it used to be to make a 10-year projection anymore. The world is changing very fast. Five years ago, I said: 'At least 30% of current jobs will disappear.' Looking at today, we see this has started to happen. Because now there is a very strong factor in the game: artificial intelligence and digital transformation. I think Türkiye’s biggest advantage is this: Our young exporters know the world well. They look more global, adapt faster, and use technology better. If we direct this perspective correctly, we can achieve very serious growth, especially in consumer-oriented sectors, e-commerce, and digital brands. Today, the consumer in the world wants this: effortless, fast, quality products and services. Anyone who can respond to this demand will win. Because now the world has evolved to this: speed + technology + experience. If this trio isnt there, there is no competition. If I were a 30-year-old exporter today, I would put digitalization at the center. I would invest in e-export, digital branding, data-oriented sales, and fast delivery infrastructure. As a market; Europe is still the main market, the USA offers high value-added opportunities, and thanks to digital, the concept of 'market' is also changing. When you offer the right product on the right platform, the world already becomes your market."

Strategic platform for opening to new markets

Delivering the opening speech of the meeting, EGİAD Chairman of the Board Kaan Özhelvacı pointed out that global trade has become a multi-layered process that should now be handled with the dimensions of strategy, financing, and risk management, not just production and sales. Özhelvacı emphasized in his speech that the Foreign Trade Council was designed not just as a meeting platform but as a permanent structure that will increase the global competitiveness of the members, stating, "Our aim with the Foreign Trade Council we have implemented today is not just to follow current developments, but to create a strong structure that will contribute to our members opening to new markets, managing risks better, and evaluating opportunities faster." Indicating that exports are no longer a classic commercial activity, Özhelvacı stated, "Today, export does not just mean selling products, but producing technology, creating sustainable value, and taking the right position in global competition."

Common mind and cooperation culture is strengthening

Speaking at the end of the meeting, EGİAD Chairman of the Board Kaan Özhelvacı stated that the Foreign Trade Council will strengthen the collective learning and strategic cooperation culture in the business world, giving the following message: "We believe that the shares made here today will not remain only at the information level but will produce concrete outputs that will directly contribute to the business processes of our members."

EGİAD: Strong actor of regional development and global expansion

Touching upon the 35-year corporate accumulation of EGİAD in his speech, Özhelvacı emphasized the economic and social impact of the association, stating, "EGİAD, founded in 1990 by 47 young business people around a common ideal, isnt just an association today with over 900 members and thousands of companies it represents; it is a strong economic actor shaping regional development." Özhelvacı also emphasized the strategic importance of foreign trade for the economy of Türkiye, expressing that access to finance and correct market strategies have become critical.

Support mechanisms for exports were discussed

In the first part of the meeting, financing and insurance mechanisms presented by Türk Eximbank were handled in detail. Within the scope of the loan and insurance programs offered by Eximbank, Türkiye’s official export support institution; export loans with maturities of up to 5 years, pre-shipment and post-shipment financing models, loan opportunities for foreign currency earning services, export credit insurance, and risk management solutions were shared with the participants. Additionally, government incentives supporting the market entry processes of exporting companies were also handled comprehensively.