ISTANBUL

The World E-commerce Forum (Worldef) will begin in the Turkish metropolitan Istanbul on Thursday to bring together industry professionals and discuss hot topics about the sector's future.

The three-day event, of which Turkish global news agency Anadolu is the global communication partner, will be attended by representatives from major firms, experts and academics.

During dozens of sessions, many topics will be covered, including the future of malls, new e-commerce trends, digital transformation, innovation, and opportunities through artificial intelligence (AI).

Omer Nart, the head of the forum, said the e-commerce's share in Türkiye's overall trade exceeded 20% and it is expected to reach 40-50% within the next 5-10 years.

Based on these figures, e-commerce offers huge potential for companies looking to do business in this field, he said in a press release on Tuesday.

He said: “Developing technologies are improving e-commerce infrastructures and logistics infrastructure; in addition, consumer behavior also points to e-commerce.

"This situation transforms trade. We are witnessing the transformation of trade into e-commerce in every sector. Growth in e-commerce continues unabated."

He said there is great potential in Türkiye for e-commerce sellers, retail brands, SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs.

Worldef Istanbul welcomes a wide range of visitors, from e-commerce-oriented manufacturers to suppliers, micro-entrepreneurs to service providers, global marketplaces to digital marketer, he said.

A company attending this event can find an e-commerce manufacturer or wholesaler, he said, adding that if it sells in Germany, it can find an e-commerce warehouse there.

He noted that companies may find a company in the US that provides financial and legal advice for company formation, or they can meet with the managers of French marketplaces to sell in a marketplace in France.

The e-commerce associations, chambers of commerce and development agencies of the countries in close geography participate in this event as strategic partners, in this way, an incredible international network is formed, he highlighted.

Nart said: “There are major events in the world where the startup and technology ecosystem comes together. The world e-commerce market has a huge range and high inclusiveness, but there is no international event representing the global e-commerce ecosystem.

"So there is no global meeting point in e-commerce. Worldef Istanbul is the most important candidate to be the meeting point of the global e-commerce ecosystem.”

This year, the event is expected to host around 20,000 visitors from 40 countries.

Over 200 speakers will share their experiences, and more than 450 companies will showcase their services and products at the event.

The event will also feature service providers, e-commerce investors, and entrepreneurs and also be attended by over 1,500 active global marketplace sellers.

Participants will include managers from Amazon, Alibaba, Trendyol, Hepsiburada, TikTok, T-Soft, MNG, Idefix, and officials from various countries, including the UK.