22 January 2024 - TÜRKONFED and Hepsiburada Sign Cooperation Protocol to Support Earthquake-Affected Businesses with E-Commerce Growth
Hepsiburada and TÜRKONFED Collaborate to Revitalize Trade in Earthquake Zone
The Turkish Business Confederation (TÜRKONFED), one of Turkey’s largest business organizations and the country’s leading regional and sectoral business umbrella institution, and Hepsiburada have signed a special cooperation protocol to support businesses affected by the devastating earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş last year.
Signed by Hepsiburada CEO Nilhan Onal Gökçetekin and President of TÜRKONFED Süleyman Sönmez, the protocol aims to provide long-term and sustainable support to ensure inclusive development in the earthquake-affected region.
As recovery efforts continue for families impacted by the February 6, 2023 earthquake that struck 11 provinces, TÜRKONFED and Hepsiburada have launched a new project focused on supporting regional economic growth and revitalizing the business community.
Through this collaboration, SMEs and tradespeople operating in the earthquake zone will benefit from a range of advantages, including commission discounts, priority support, and advertising benefits.
Nilhan Onal Gökçetekin: “With this cooperation, we stand by SMEs, tradespeople, and businesses in the region with our commercial, technological, and logistical capabilities.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hepsiburada CEO Nilhan Onal Gökçetekin said: “Following the earthquake in February last year, we launched our ‘Commerce and Technology Power for the Earthquake Region’ program in March to contribute to lasting prosperity in the region. We see it as highly important to provide long-term support to the region. In the first nine months of the program, SMEs and tradespeople in the region generated a trading volume of approximately 3 billion TRY through Hepsiburada. Additionally, 2,400 new businesses joined e-commerce thanks to the opportunities we provided.
We also continue to provide tailored support for women entrepreneurs and women’s cooperatives. In just nine months, 3,172 women entrepreneurs and cooperatives achieved a trading volume of 174 million TRY. With this new cooperation with TÜRKONFED, we believe we will take another important step toward the region’s economic recovery. We are fully committed to standing alongside SMEs, tradespeople, and businesses with our commercial, technological, and logistical capabilities, and we will expand the positive impact we aim to create in the region through this protocol.”
Süleyman Sönmez: “We are working to help businesses in the earthquake region get back on their feet.”
Highlighting the importance of private sector investments alongside public support, President of TÜRKONFED Süleyman Sönmez stated:
“With great solidarity, we established KASABA, a sustainable living center integrated with small industrial and agricultural enterprises, to help local communities rebuild their lives. At the same time, we believe that preserving production and preventing loss of employment in the region are critical for recovery and development.
In this context, while we continue working to help earthquake-affected businesses regain their strength, we also support our SMEs in adapting to digitalization and the green transition era. We are confident that this cooperation with Hepsiburada will provide valuable support to our businesses.”
Growth Opportunities for Earthquake-Affected Businesses
Under the signed protocol, TÜRKONFED members in the earthquake region will be offered a priority support line. In addition, sales made through Hepsiburada will benefit from a 50% commission discount for the first three months on up to 100,000 TRY turnover across all categories (excluding gold and jewelry).
New stores opened on Hepsiburada by TÜRKONFED members in the earthquake region will also receive up to 100,000 TRY in balance support to boost their sales through advertising and marketing.
Furthermore, businesses will be provided with free e-commerce training through the Hepsiburada Business Partner Academy platform, strengthening the region’s e-commerce infrastructure. They will also benefit from complimentary e-invoice credits.