Izmir University of Economics students lead the way in business

Students of Foreign Trade Program, Vocational School of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), are going global with Izmir Chamber of Commerce member companies, which have not exported yet. 11 students will make analysis in order to make new connections and help companies export, which have not exported yet or have limited export market.

As part of the “Export Support Offices” established in 16 cities by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Izmir Chamber of Commerce and IUE Vocational School co-started the “Export Support Office Pilot Project- Success Story in Exporting and Business Development Methods in 21^st Century” project for the first time. The project allows 42 companies, which have not exported yet to work with 11 students of IUE Foreign Trade Program as part of the Export Support Office within Izmir Chamber of Commerce. Following a 10-education module, students performed analysis for companies operating in areas such as machinery and  replacement parts, glass systems, agriculture and food products, furniture, medical materials, textile and ready-to-wear products, home textile, cosmetics, leather products, bridal wear, construction materials, etc. Prof. Mustafa Tanyeri, Secretary General of IZTO, who delivered a speech at the meeting held at Izmir Chamber of Commerce concerning the project that aims to train the specialized export personnel of the future, said that they wanted to increase the export awareness of the members of the Chamber. “Our purpose is to enable a company, which does not have any exporting experience, to be able to export on its own without the help of any middleman. The government provides support for exporting purposes. We hope to increase the use of these supports. The companies, which volunteered in this project and the students worked very hard. They will be the subject of success stories. With this project, we want to increase the interest of young people in export, train the future export specialists, and contribute to the employment of our country,” said Prof. Mustafa Tanyeri.

‘Export specialists on their way’

IUE Vocational School Director, Burçin Önder stated that the project both helped raise awareness among the companies and allowed students to gain experience. Önder said, “Since the beginning of the project, our students have been busy working on company analysis, market analysis, strategy, pricing, etc. The main purpose of the project was to help companies make a price offer or send a sample to at least one customer overseas they have been in touch. Some of the companies realized this goal. We believe this project is very important for our city. We aim to both increase the export rates and get our students to be employed as export specialists.”