23.11.2021 İzmir
The Mobile Digital Caravan Project, implemented by İzmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), İzmir Development Agency (IZKA), was introduced with a launch ceremony.
TOBB President M. Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu said at the ceremony held in front of IZTO that as TOBB
community, they attach great importance to the concept of entrepreneurship.
Pointing out that TOBB
has an important role to play in the discussion of the concept of
entrepreneurship in Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Entrepreneurship is now on
the agenda of Turkey. You are the umbrella organization of entrepreneurship.
There are 1.5 million companies, entrepreneurs, in Turkey. With their partners,
that number is coming to 5-6 million. We have 15 million brothers and sisters
working alongside 1.5 million entrepreneurs. Each entrepreneur employs an
average of 10 people. Every year, 1 million young people in Turkey join the
workforce.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu noted
that the employment capacity of the public and private sectors is limited, and
that the way to reduce unemployment is to support new employment routes.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the number of entrepreneurs should be increased and women and young people
should be encouraged towards entrepreneurship, and that they carry out
different projects with national and international companies in order to
achieve these goals.
- New focus digitalization
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that their new focus is “digitalization”, adding that the digital world has
gained importance with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the world is undergoing digital transformation very quickly, that they
should not be excluded from this process, that they are working to adapt to the
process, and that as TOBB, they have moved the documents to digital media.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the members have taken the necessary steps to benefit from digital
developments.
“We told our members
not to be afraid of digitalization, artificial intelligence, but rather to
integrate them into their business. The companies that are limited to the
pandemic are the companies that carry out digital transformation and actively
use e-commerce. We have done a lot of activities to raise awareness about this
issue. We have cooperated with many national and international companies.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu said
that with the Mobile Digital Caravan Project, the service now goes to the door
of the chamber and commodity exchange members. “It used to be important to own
a shop on the street, around the corner, on the main street, now it's important
to have an online presence. So don't forget, my entrepreneurial brothers and
sisters, go digital. I have one more request from you, get out of your comfort
zone.”
- IZTO President Özgener: “Purchasing habits are
transforming”
IZTO President Mahmut
Özgener said that companies and institutions should pay attention to
digitalization in order to take the lead in competition.
Özgener emphasized that
İZTO puts digitalization at the forefront and stated that the Mobile Digital
Caravan Project is a complement to the innovation and entrepreneurship project
they have been carrying out for 2 years and will be implemented in 2022.
Pointing out that
digital technologies are mostly the focus of the new generation of
entrepreneurship and R&D projects, Özgener said, “Business processes and
purchasing habits are transforming with digitalized business models. Consumers
are also keeping up with the pace of the age. e-Commerce has taken on a whole
new dimension thanks to platform business models such as Yemeksepeti,
Gittigidiyor, AirBnB, UBER and other business models based on the sharing
economy. Almost every sector has changed direction.”
- After the speeches
After the speeches,
IZTO President Mahmut Özgener and Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO)
President Ender Yorgancı presented M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu with a bust of
Atatürk prepared with a 3D printer.
The delegation then
examined the Mobile Digital Caravan.
- Mobile Digital Caravan
Mobile Digital Caravan,
implemented by IZTO with the support of Ministry of Industry and Technology,
TOBB, İzmir Development Agency, consists of a trailer equipped with technology
and software.
It aims to provide
digital solutions to IZTO member companies with caravans to visit different
regions of İzmir.
In addition to informing about corporate website, online stock
management, inventory tracking, sales, e-archive, solutions including advanced
technologies such as artificial intelligence are planned to be proposed to the
institutions