Trade Minister Bolat: The share of e-commerce in total trade reached 20 percent

Speaking at the Istanbul Global E-Export Summit, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat announced that the share of e-commerce in total trade, which was 4.5 percent in 2019, has risen to the level of 20 percent, and also announced the year-end e-export target.

Istanbul Global E-Export Summit Held

The Istanbul Global E-Export Summit was held at the Haliç Congress Center under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade, in cooperation with the Turkish Exporters Assembly and the Electronic Commerce Operators Association.

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, International Energy Agency President Dr. Fatih Birol, TIM President Mustafa Gültepe, ETİD President Hakan Çevikoğlu, and prominent figures from the business world attended the opening program of the summit.

Share of E-Commerce Reaches 20 Percent Level

Emphasizing that the digital space has become the most important channel in reaching consumers, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat stated that the share of e-commerce, which stood at 4.5 percent in 2019, has risen to 20 percent in parallel with the global average.

It was reported that between 2019 and 2025, Turkey's e-commerce sector recorded an annual growth rate of 80 percent, and its share within general retail has risen rapidly.

Global Markets and the Status of B2C Trade

Minister Bolat stated that globally, Gross Domestic Product grew by 33 percent during the 2019-2025 period, while the general retail sector reached a size of 32 trillion dollars.

It was reported that the B2C e-commerce volume, conducted directly from business to consumer, increased by 91 percent to reach 6.5 trillion dollars, with its share in global retail sales reaching 20 percent.

Guides and Manuals Prepared for Companies

It was stated that e-export roadmaps for 25 countries have been created by the Ministry of Trade to enable companies to access information more easily.

It was announced that approximately 40 guides and manuals covering customs practices, 28 marketplaces, and 5 digital channels have been made available to companies via the ministry's website.

Year-End Targets and Leading Markets

While targeting to reach a volume of 6 billion dollars in the field of e-exports by the end of this year, it was noted that the number of companies regularly engaging in e-exports has increased to 11,420.

While Istanbul ranked first in e-export volume, ready-to-wear stood out on a sectoral basis; the USA, Germany, Azerbaijan, Romania, and Saudi Arabia were among the main partner countries.