rotterdam

Turkiye is like a ‘candy shop’, a tempting paradise brimming with opportunity. It is nice to observe how this vast country gives Dutch entrepreneurs a burst of energy, every time.

But: where do you start as an entrepreneur? How should you deal with an unfamiliar bureaucracy and business culture? Who physically takes the Dutch entrepreneur into the local field? Read more about how the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands – Türkiye foundation (CCNT) and affiliated service providers can help on site.

Take Douwe from Friesland. Although his business is going well, he notices that his customers have become more demanding. These are continuously looking for ‘something new’ for consumers who have more free time. Citizens are looking for a holiday safer and closer to home in these uncertain times with post-Corona and other crisis.

Douwe is referred by the CCNT in Rotterdam to one of the affiliated service providers/experts on site in Turkiye. His request: “perform a market research for suitable melamine producers in Turkiye”. Melamine is an extremely durable and tear-resistant plastic available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and patterns. In addition, Douwe is looking for 15 types of textile products. All ideal for home, garden, kitchen and camping.

A successful B2B meeting doesn’t end at an airport…

In a first phase, the Dutch-speaking service provider in Turkiye makes a shortlist of potential producers. There are lots of phone calls and mails with all kinds of managers in Turkish companies. Subsequently, it is checked whether the products meet the EU quality requirements.

In a second phase, Douwe receives all relevant data. Although he has confidence in the high product quality and the necessary certificates, these must be produced and delivered under well-defined conditions. Are there perhaps more useful Turkish partners or suppliers, Douwe wonders…

As an exclusive service, more candidate producers are identified and cross-matched. Furthermore, product technical, Turkish experts from the large network of the service provider are involved. For this, the service provider again crawls into the pen, telephone and visits them.

In a third phase, Douwe is brought into personal contact with the Turkish producers and suppliers. The service provider organizes the journey from Schiphol, via Istanbul to other Turkish cities. B2B meetings are supported by the service provider and an additional guide.

A successful B2B meeting or trade mission does not end at an airport; it ends up on the shelves of a Dutch retail store, you would say, doesn’t it?

But: it is often (only) phase three that is offered by sector or network organizations. A pity: the high lords leave a country with or without a minister, while the actual work still has to be done.