TOBB’s Accreditation Boosts Turkey’s Digital Economy Amid EU Protectionism

Turkey, in the face of rising EU protectionist waves, is leveraging TOBB's accreditation certification program and digital economy initiatives to forge a multi‑faceted diplomatic strategy.

Protectionist Waves and Multi‑Layered Diplomacy

■Active trade negotiations with EU, UK, Japan, Qatar, UAE.

■Ukraine Free Trade Agreement ratified; services sector expansion talks ongoing.

■Canada Free Trade Agreement discussions have commenced, expanding Turkey’s global trade network.

Digital Economy and Accreditation Model

■TOBB accreditation aims to elevate professional service quality, a model adopted by Islamic countries.

■Focus on digital economy, e‑commerce, AI enhances service discipline across sectors.

Growth Narrative: 5.3% Average Annual Increase

■Q1 2026 growth 2.5%, 2025 average 5.4%.

■2024‑2026 period sustained 5.3% annual growth post‑COVID‑19 with a 5.4% uptick.

■Global economy growth 3.3%, expected to dip below 3% this year; global exports at half the growth rate.

Key Points of Negotiations

■Expansion in services with UK, technology transfer with Japan.

■Regional trade integration with GCC.

■Ukraine STA approval, new markets with Qatar and UAE.

Sectoral Investment Appeal

■Accreditation program boosts confidence across 73 chambers/stock exchanges.

■Investments directed toward AI and e‑commerce‑focused business models.

■Cultural and commercial diplomacy strengthens Turkey’s international reputation.

Fatih Kılıç: Turkey’s accreditation‑driven digital transformation offers resilience against protectionist pressures, strengthening domestic markets while targeting a 10% growth potential in external trade. This strategy is pivotal for reinforcing Turkey’s macro‑economic stability and rejuvenating its export trajectory.