[:en]New centers will give edge to Turkish exporters in e-commerce abroad, says the head of Logistics Business Council
The innovation of Turkish overseas logistics centers will ensure the rapid flow of exports and products’ penetration of international supply chains at low cost, thus serving sustainable export growth, according to an expert.
“Logistics centers will also help us boost our capabilities in e-commerce abroad,” Turgut Erkeskin, chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board’s (DEIK) Logistics Business Council, told Anadolu Agency.
Erkeskin said the centers will enhance Turkey’s export performance in strategic regions such as Africa, the Americas, Europe, Russia, and the Far East.
Citing a decree by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this October on the government support for logistics centers, he noted that some expenses of these centers would be supported by the country’s Trade Ministry for five years.
“We target the countries where our exports have deep growth potential,” Erkeskin said, stressing that they would first open in countries with relatively less logistics infrastructure.
The first continent that stands out is Africa, he said, adding: “Our first focus will be countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, where there are major bottlenecks in logistics infrastructure despite their great market potential.”
Logistics centers will create timing advantages for deadlines, especially for e-commerce, besides the cost advantages, Erkeskin said.
“They will also enhance customer satisfaction thanks to fast delivery.”
Amid the supply chain disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak, logistics centers will help Turkish exporters eliminate such hurdles, he maintained.
“Even if countries implement lockdown measures, we’ll have the ability to use our presence and export potential in those countries,” Erkeskin stressed.
For countries with less-developed logistics infrastructure along China’s Belt and Road initiative, the incentive will offer Turkish exporters various opportunities, he added.
Erkeskin said tangible steps towards opening the logistics centers will be taken in the third quarter of 2021, providing areas for storage, loading and unloading, handling, shipment, and cargo unification and division services.