General informations...
Today, one of the major indicators
of the level of a society's development is the share the people receive from production
and national income. The most effective means to achieve an increase of this share is,
undoubtedly, exports. IGEME, which is the only public organization in this field, was
founded with the aim of developing and promoting Turkish exports. In line with its
objective IGEME acts as an intermediary in establishing business contacts between foreign
importers and Turkish exporters. Thus, it contributes to both parties providing a two-way
service, enlightening Turkish businessmen and furnishing foreign importers with
information on economic conditions, market prospect, exporters and regulations in Turkey.
IGEME performs this function in a series of activities which can be categorized in five
main areas,namely research, development, training, trade information, publicity and
promotion, and international relations. The Headquarters of IGEME is located in Ankara,
the capital of Turkey. The administrative structure of IGEME consists of the General
Secretariat, Directorates, Specialized Departments and affiliated sections. With the aim
of rendering services to exporters more quickly and monitoring regional needs and
requirements more closely, IGEME has two local Branch Offices in Istanbul and Izmir. The
first overseas office of the Center, Turkish Trade Promotion Office/TTPO was opened in
Rotterdam, The Netherlands in 1988. EXPORT PROMOTION CENTER OF TURKEY (IGEME) Headquarters Mithatpasa
Cad. 60, 06420 Kizilay - ANKARA / TURKEY Phone: (90) (312) 417 22 23 Fax : (90) (312) 417
22 33 Tlx : 46267 igm tr - 46422 ire tr
Branch Offices Istanbul
Halaskargazi Cad. 220, K:3, Osmanbey - ISTANBUL / TURKEY Phone: (90) (212) 233 06 77 (5
Lines) Fax : (90) (212) 230 02 77 Izmir 1375 Sok. 25, Alsancak - IZMIR / TURKEY Phone:
(90) (232) 463 69 50 Fax : (90) (232) 422 24 00 Tlx : 53138 exun tr
Lefkosa Sakarya Sok., Mertcan 5
Apt., K:3, Köklüçiftlik - LEFKOSA / TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS Phone: (90)
(392) 228 43 46 - 227 11 76 Fax : (90) (392) 227 20 31
Rotterdam Turkish Trade Promotion
Office (TTPO) P.O. Box: 30008, 3001 DA ROTTERDAM / NETHERLANDS Phone: (31-10) 412 42 12
Fax : (31-10) 413 65 54 E-Mail: ttpo@pop.pi.net
Research
and development...
Obviously, research and development
activities are also very important in attaining the goals related to foreign trade, as in
all fields of economic life. Research and development studies carried out by IGEME cover a
wide range of subjects and consist of an integrated working platform which utilize many
means. These studies are aimed at improving exports by finding new markets or by
increasing market shares. They are composed of different stages such as determining the
products which have export potential, analyzing all the ways and methods which can be
implemented in market access, disseminating trade information and survey findings through
seminars, workshops and publications. Commodity-based research aims at increasing the
variety of Turkish export products as well as seeking markets for products of export
potential. By examining the economic structures and commercial conditions of existing and
potential export markets and by determining their needs, market-based research is carried
out to increase market share.
Training
It is obvious that the role of
experienced staff in carrying out effective export marketing is very important.
Accordingly, training through courses, seminars and workshops has always been a main focus
of attention in the activities of IGEME. Within this framework, IGEME conducts
"Foreign Trade Training Programs" to improve the technical knowledge and
capability of individuals working in foreign trade companies and institutions and to
contribute to the provision of a qualified workforce necessary to attain the desired level
and to achieve a sound and stable structure in foreign trade. In addition to these
programs, the Center organizes panel discussions to introduce the "fringe
benefits" which are be useful in improving exports and local seminars to provide
export intelligence to exporters/suppliers in specific regions. Within the framework of
technical cooperation projects conducted with organizations similar to IGEME, the Center
places a special emphasis on workshops aiming at disseminating trade information and the
findings of field surveys.
Promotions
Today's global trade emphasizes and
necessitates promotional activities to introduce the country's export products, exporting
companies and services in order to establish an effective marketing for growing exports.
Within the framework of its efforts to establish business relations between foreign
importers and Turkish exporters, IGEME organizes the participation of Turkish companies in
international fairs at the national level. At international fairs, the information stands
provided by IGEME serve to introduce companies which cannot participate in these fairs. In
addition to international fairs, IGEME organizes Turkish Export Products Exhibitions
abroad.
Trade
information services
As a trade promotion office, one of
IGEME's main functions is to provide an effective trade information flow between Turkish
exporters and foreign importers. In order to provide both Turkish exporters and foreign
importers with fast, accurate information on trade according to their interests, IGEME has
established a databank system which will be connected to other databanks and offices
abroad to supply the addresses of foreign importers, changes in market situations and
commodity stock exchanges and other information on current issues. IGEME provides services
for exporters' own research projects through its libraries. The center library has a
microfiche unit on world trade, computer terminals on Turkish foreign trade, over two
hundred catalogues, nearly two thousand five hundred reference books, about nine hundred
research reports and almost two hundred periodicals. All of these publications are
recorded in the databank system.
International
relations
Although activities of IGEME for
developing Turkey's exports could be carried out separately, performing these activities
as part of an integrated work program increases the effectiveness and the benefits
obtained. Accordingly, IGEME attaches special importance to the integrated market
development programs included in the bilateral cooperation projects with national and
international trade organizations. Developing relations with other trade promotion
institutions and international organizations abroad are effective ways of providing trade
information and introducing the export potential of Turkey. Within this framework, IGEME
not only coordinates the relations between domestic establishments of a similar nature in
the field, but also tries to contribute to economic cooperation by developing joint
efforts with similar organizations abroad.
Publications
IGEME issues publications with the
aim of disseminating trade information and the findings of research and development
activities, as well as introducing Turkish export products and exporters. Publications in
Turkish The daily "Foreign Trade Bulletin" which aims at supplying exporters
with commercial information and foreign demand, has a wide circulation among Turkish
exporters and businesses. The "Foreign Trade Legislation" which cites the rules
and regulations to be complied within foreign trade also includes regulations related to
investments, foreign capital and free trade zones. The "Product Profiles" which
covers the findings of research and development activities, provides export marketing
information and advice on all aspects of foreign markets, i.e. patterns of demand, quality
and labeling requirements, customs legislation, purchasing and distribution methods, as
well as the general economic outlook, market characteristics and foreign trade regulations
in a particular country. The series of "Practical Information in Exports" are
published as handbooks which cover practical information, namely, export procedures,
pricing, documents required for customs, forms of payment, etc., related to marketing and
export procedures. Publications in Foreign Languages "Trade With Turkey" is a
periodical which includes topics such as product and representation offers, import and
joint venture inquiries as well as trade statistics and news in brief about Turkey. It is
published in English and distributed abroad free of charge. The brochures "Top
Quality From Turkey" are published in English with the aim of creating a quality
image concerning Turkish export products. These brochures include information on the
production and export potential of Turkey and the listings of main producers/exporters.
The magazine "Turkey" is published in English every year to introduce Turkey in
all aspects of its geographical, historical, social, cultural, touristic and economic
structure and includes statistical information about Turkey. The magazine "Guide for
Businessmen" is published in English for foreign businessmen and investors and
includes country profile, business background, business brief and useful addresses.
"Turkish Export Directory" is published with the aim of presenting Turkey's
trade potential and providing information on Turkish manufacturing and exporting companies
for foreign businessmen seeking opportunities for doing business with Turkey.
|
