Turquality - Export Approved

What is TURQUALITY®?

TURQUALITY® is Turkish government programme initiated in 2004 to audit and provide accreditation to Turkish export businesses. The aim is to support the creation of major brands capable of operating on the global stage. The adherence to accepted international standards not only raises these companies, it filters down to smaller companies and raises the whole industry. The programme is designed to fund consultancy to these businesses to raise essential capabilities, improve competences and create the skills and resources required to compete internationally.

Although it started with the textile and garment industry, it has been expanded periodically to encompass automotive, construction, food and others. Turkish companies expanding their operations abroad with physical premises are also covered by Turquality support. It is not even nececessary to have a company established in Turkey to qualify for this support.

There are two types of support available. The first is the brand programme, for companies establishing operations abroad. The second is the Turquality Support Program, for exporters. Support under the Brand Support Programme is available with certain financial limits, there is no financial limit for under the Turquality Support Programme.

To be accepted into both support programmes, the company must pass through an audit by one of five international audit companies selected by the ministry. An audit score of between 65-80 in the audits qualifies for acceptance into the Brand Support Program, while a score of above 85 gains acceptance into the Turquality Support Programme. For Brand Support Programme companies it is necessary to have 5 stores in Turkey and 1 store abroad, and to register their trademark in at least one foreign country.

Companies in the Brand Support Programme receive different amounts for different activities:

up to $300,000 for advertising, promotion and marketing activities

up to $300,000 for leasing expenses related to foreign units that they plan to or have opened

up to $200,000 for concept architecture works and decoration expenses

up to $200,000 for rent and/or commission expenses for showrooms that they plan to or have opened

If franchising, support is available for a total of 10 stores, at a maximum of 50 thousand dollars per store, for decoration expenses related to shops opened abroad.

The amount of support available under Brand Support is determined by the ministry, so it is not possible to estimate how much any particular company might receive. 

In the Turquality Support Programme, 

up to $100,000 is available for commercial activities, consultancy for the investigation of the site, works of conceptual architecture, decoration, fixtures, rental expenses and counseling related to renting a store. This applies to a maximum of 50 stores in 5 years.  with up to 10 stores in 1 year. 

Up to $100,000 dollars are available for expenses related to fixtures and decoration.

This support includes: office expenses, warehouses, showrooms and after-sales expenses, rents, decoration, fixtures, commission expenses related to foreign units, showroom / department store where different brands are sold, decoration, service and / or commission expenses for the floor display of the department / lease / showroom / gondola / rented area in the hypermarkets are also supported.

An important point to note is that the total period of support for any company that passes to the Turquality Support Program from the Brand Support Program cannot exceed 72 months.