Last month, eBay Inc. and Gitti Gidiyor hosted a high-level e-commerce symposium – the first of its kind –  in Ankara, in co-operation with PayPal, a Istanbul Bilgi University and a leading ICT Association, TÜBISAD. The conference had over 120 attendants, among them many political and public authorities. Speakers and panellists included high ranking officials.

Stephan Zoll delivered the key note speech on behalf of eBay Inc., calling for a better understanding of e-commerce, discussing its potential for the Turkish economy and society, and urging for an up-to date legislative environment.

Among the key messages of the day was a statement made by the representative of the Ministry for Customs and Trade, an official supporter of the event. The key message focused on the fact that consumers are not the only ones that need to be able trust in e-commerce, but that most importantly market participants need to be able to trust in a stable and conducive regulatory framework for online business.

The conference also included meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, who has top responsibility for e-commerce as well as for the Central Bank (which is currently finalising a law on online payments and e-money), and an individual meeting with the Ministry of Customs and Trade to lobby for the resolution of Gitti Gidiyor’s situation in regards to drop shipping.

For more on the conference visit: http://www.gumrukticaret.gov.tr/icerik/703/2665/turkiye-de-e-ticaret-hacmi-30-6-milyar-liraya-ulasti.html