Turkish SMEs more active in global trade with TUSKON at work

No one acknowledges monopolization. The core of capitalism drives industrialists towards it, considering competitors enemies, seeing “somebody’s loss is my gain.” But we also know from economics the cooperative game theory, which advocates that achievements can be attained through collaboration where all participants can profit. During the Ottoman Empire businessmen were concerned about their competitors, too. If one of them was doing good business he would close his shop in the middle of the day so that his competitor could do business the rest of the day. It was a common phenomenon but difficult to imagine in our time.

Turkey as an emerging export-oriented economy, with its existing polices to support SMEs and enhance international relations, and the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON), a confederation with a strong base in Turkey and abroad equipping businesspeople with entrepreneurial faculties, is the best model for inclusiveness in this direction.

TUSKON and its services

TUSKON is a rare case where its launch started from the bottom up. Businessmen in districts of Turkey who felt the need for an alliance that serves their needs, brings integrity and also supports local development, started to set up business associations. After increasing to a decent size, these business associations came under regional federations. And in the year 2005 these federations set up one confederation that brought all them under one roof. Its seven regional federations, 151 business associations and 14,844 members make TUSKON the largest confederation in Turkey today.

TUSKON defines its core objectives as follows: supporting members to engage in an international business environment, discovering new business opportunities, advising policy makers on new economic approaches, addressing the needs of entrepreneurs to concerned government institutions and sharing international and local experience among members. In addition, it also offers services through its member business associations with beneficial corporate guidance such as workshops on ethnical business conduct, various language and training courses, match-making on the global and local level, the implementation of new business practices, business trips abroad and channeling beneficial government schemes. And most important the confederation with its associates encourages individuals to establish new ventures and partnerships and facilitates the expansion of SMEs.

TUSKON envisions corporate social responsibility as its main focus. Many of its members are engaged in establishing schools, distributing supplies and aid to people in need and providing scholarships to needy students not only in Turkey but in more than 100 countries abroad through involvement with educational endowment trusts and charities.

Sister organizations in more than 135 countries

In addition to its strong membership portfolio in Turkey, TUSKON also has sister organizations in 135 countries around the world. These institutions were set up by Turkish entrepreneurs and volunteers to serve trade and exchange purposes and engage members in the international business environment. The Indo-Turkish Business Association, Thai-Turkish Business Association, South Africa Turkish Business Association and the Turkish and Cameroon Business Association are just some of the business associations that are part of the TUSKON family.

Trips abroad are significant endeavors and given much importance; these study tours expand the horizons of entrepreneurs and are the best illustration of “out of the box/country thinking.” Those who participate in these trips acquaint themselves with international standards, opportunities abroad, new ideas, potential buyers and suppliers, knowledge on working and production methods and much more.

International trade bridges

Each year TUSKON organizes a number of international business conventions, inviting thousands of businessmen from abroad for matching up with Turkish entrepreneurs. Last June’s Turkey-World Trade Bridge 2009 brought 2,250 businessmen, trade ministers, bureaucrats and media personnel from 135 countries and was also attended by 3,000 Turkish businessmen. The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During the summit, 120,000 business meetings took place, making the event what organizers believe to be the world’s largest-ever business convention. Organizers hoped that it would result in $7 billion in new business.