TİM Targets USD 1 Billion in Exports to North Macedonia

TİM Targets USD 1 Billion in Exports to North Macedonia Turkey Exporters Assembly (TİM), the umbrella organization of over 100,000 exporters, held the "SME Export Mobilization North Macedonia" training program at the Istanbul Foreign Trade Complex. The "SME Export Mobilization North Macedonia" training program, held physically under the hosting of TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, was attended at its opening by North Macedonia Trade Counsellor Oğuzhan Berber and ÖNSİAD Chairman Hayri Yorulmaz. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, who delivered the opening speech of the program, said: "Our exports to North Macedonia are following an extremely successful course. Last year, a total of 4,800 of our companies exported to North Macedonia. Our exports to this country increased 37% year-on-year to USD 570 million. We must rapidly raise our exports to North Macedonia above USD 1 billion. The current conditions and indicators are extremely favorable for reaching this figure." Turkey Exporters Assembly (TİM), an umbrella organization of 61 exporter associations, 27 sectors and over 100,000 exporters working toward the goal of "Turkey as a Trade Surplus Country," is continuing its "SME Export Mobilization Training Programs" aimed at encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to export, providing export support, conducting risk analysis, encouraging financing and project preparation. Over the past three years, Turkey Exporters Assembly has organized 18 SME Export Mobilization trainings both physically and online, one of which was directed at the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. TİM held the "SME Export Mobilization North Macedonia" training program for ÖNSİAD members at the Istanbul Foreign Trade Complex. While TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle and ÖNSİAD Chairman Hayri Yorulmaz opened the training program, North Macedonia Trade Counsellor Oğuzhan Berber also delivered an opening speech online. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, who delivered the opening speech of the "SME Export Mobilization North Macedonia" program, stated that for the first time they were together with the export community in a training program that prioritized the export sector's focus on a targeted market, and thanked ÖNSİAD Chairman Hayri Yorulmaz and all ÖNSİAD members for their efforts in bringing this program to life.

"Through TİM SME Export Mobilization trainings, we aim to reach every firm with export potential across all corners of Anatolia"

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, expressing that reaching firms with export potential is very important for the future, said: "Today, nearly two years have passed since our first training program. During this period, over 37,000 companies joined the export community. Through TİM SME Export Mobilization trainings, we aim to reach every firm with export potential across all corners of Anatolia."   TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, sharing information that they have organized 18 SME Export Mobilization trainings both physically and online over the past three years, one of which was directed at the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, stated that they designed TİM SME Export Mobilization Training Programs for 3 target groups: company representatives who already have their own businesses and wish to conduct export activities, companies seeking continuous export growth, and young entrepreneurs.  

"The fact that there is a population familiar with our culture is a factor that strengthens our hand in terms of ease of doing business"

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that North Macedonia is a developing market open to branding and has nearly doubled its imports over the past 5 years, stated: "North Macedonia maintained its import level stability even during the pandemic years. In 2021, it reached a record import level of USD 11.4 billion. Additionally, North Macedonia ranked 46th in the 2021 Economic Freedom Rankings Index and demonstrated the best performance in Tax Burden and Business Freedom categories. The fact that there is a population familiar with our culture is a factor that strengthens our hand in terms of ease of doing business." TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, stating that they are following an extremely successful course in exports to North Macedonia, said: "Last year, a total of 4,800 of our companies exported to North Macedonia. Our exports to this country increased 37% year-on-year to USD 570 million. It is extremely important that the positive momentum continues, because as the export community, we attach great importance to every country without market discrimination."  

"We must rapidly raise our exports to North Macedonia above USD 1 billion"

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, emphasizing that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave the export community a very important task, said: "Our 2022 annual export target is USD 250 billion. For this reason, we must rapidly raise our exports to North Macedonia above USD 1 billion. The current conditions and indicators are extremely favorable for reaching this figure. The numbers show that North Macedonia is a rising value in the region. As the export community, we must increase our effectiveness in North Macedonia. I firmly believe that through the training program we will conduct, our exporters' interest in the region will increase further."  

Knowledge and experience transfer from expert trainers to participants

  Within the scope of the program, expert trainers from the institutions shared information on TİM and Exporter Associations, Turkey-North Macedonia Mutual Foreign Trade Analysis Report, Export Procedures and Processes and State Aid Directed to Exports, KOSGEB Export-Oriented Support Programs, KOSGEB Project Preparation Guide Training, Export Credit Guarantee Fund, Turkish Eximbank Credits in Export Financing and Receivables Insurance. At the end of the program, knowledge and experience transfer was provided to participants wishing to export to North Macedonia or increase their exports through North Macedonia Market Experience Sharing.