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Türkiye Introduces New Rules to Combat Misleading Advertising and Strengthen Consumer Protection

Türkiye has enacted comprehensive amendments to its advertising regulations, introducing stricter rules for digital advertising, influencer marketing, AI-generated content, and discount campaigns. The new framework aims to protect consumers from misleading advertising practices and increase transparency across digital commerce channels.

The Turkish Ministry of Trade has announced a series of regulatory changes designed to address the growing influence of digital advertising and safeguard consumers against deceptive marketing practices. Published in the Official Gazette, the updated rules introduce new obligations for advertisers, social media creators, and online platforms operating in Türkiye.

New Standards for Targeted and Digital Advertising

Under the revised regulations, businesses using targeted advertising based on consumers’ online behavior and personal data must clearly explain why specific advertisements are being shown and provide accessible information on how these targeting criteria can be modified. The measures aim to increase transparency and give consumers greater control over personalized advertising experiences.

One of the most significant changes is a ban on targeted advertising directed at children through profiling methods that rely on personal data. The regulation seeks to provide stronger protection for minors in increasingly data-driven digital environments.

Influencers and AI-Generated Advertising Face New Disclosure Requirements

The new framework also tightens rules around social media marketing. Content creators who receive payments, free products, discounts, or other benefits in exchange for promoting products or services will now be required to clearly indicate that their posts constitute advertising or promotional content.

Additionally, the regulations address the growing use of artificial intelligence in advertising. Advertisers must clearly disclose AI-generated digital characters that cannot be easily distinguished from real individuals. The rules also prohibit the use of AI-generated personas that could create the false impression that a real person has used or endorsed a product.

Stricter Rules for Discount Campaigns and Consumer Reviews

The revised regulation extends discount advertising requirements to conditional sales campaigns, where discounts or benefits depend on fulfilling specific conditions. For discounted products, advertisers may only display as the pre-discount price the lowest price applied within the previous ten days before the campaign began. Exceptions apply to perishable goods and certain services.

The Ministry has also shortened the period granted to sellers and service providers to respond to consumer complaints before publication, reducing the timeframe from 72 hours to 48 hours. If no response is submitted within this period, consumer evaluations may be published directly.

The new regulations, which come into force on 1 August 2026, form part of Türkiye’s broader effort to strengthen oversight of digital commerce and advertising practices while improving consumer trust in online marketplaces and promotional content.

$45.2B UAE-Türkiye Trade Momentum Drives New KEZAD-Trendyol Logistics Partnership

KEZAD Group and Trendyol Group, Türkiye’s first decacorn and one of the region’s leading e-commerce platforms, have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of an e-commerce logistics cluster within KEZAD in Abu Dhabi.

The agreement was signed during the UAE-Türkiye Joint Business Council Forum held in Istanbul, where senior business leaders and government representatives from both countries gathered to strengthen bilateral trade, investment, and private-sector cooperation.

The partnership aims to support Trendyol’s regional expansion strategy by leveraging KEZAD’s integrated logistics and industrial ecosystem. Through the proposed collaboration, the companies plan to evaluate opportunities that would enhance supply chain efficiency, accelerate regional distribution capabilities, and improve market access across the Middle East and surrounding markets.

Trendyol currently serves more than 40 million customers and works with approximately 250,000 sellers across its e-commerce ecosystem, offering over 40 million products on its platform. The company has rapidly expanded its international footprint in recent years, positioning itself as one of the most influential technology and e-commerce companies in the region.

UAE-Türkiye Trade Relations Continue to Strengthen Under CEPA

The signing reflects the growing economic relationship between the UAE and Türkiye following the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which continues to accelerate bilateral trade and investment flows between the two countries.

During the forum, Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities and Free Zone and Co-Chair of the UAE–Türkiye Joint Business Council, highlighted the significance of the agreement and emphasized the increasing strength of UAE–Türkiye economic ties.

According to officials, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade with Türkiye exceeded $45.2 billion in 2025, underlining the rapid growth of commercial cooperation between the two markets.

The UAE delegation participating in the forum was led by H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and included more than 65 business leaders and representatives from Emirati companies.

KEZAD Group stated that the partnership reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a strategic logistics and trade gateway for international companies seeking faster regional market access, resilient supply chains, and integrated distribution infrastructure.

As regional e-commerce and cross-border trade continue to expand, collaborations between major logistics operators and digital commerce platforms are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of the Middle East’s supply chain ecosystem.

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Ozon Global Shares Strong Growth and New Seller Opportunities in Latest Update

Ozon Global Türkiye has announced a series of platform updates and performance highlights, reinforcing its rapid expansion and growing appeal among international sellers, particularly from Türkiye.

The company reported that 2025 marked a strong growth year, with total revenue reaching approximately $49.99 billion, representing a 45% increase year-over-year. At the same time, the total number of delivered orders climbed to 2.48 billion, up 69%, while average annual orders per customer rose to 38, reflecting stronger user engagement.

Marketplace Momentum Continues

The platform’s growth is also visible in seller performance. Turkish merchants recorded a 48% increase in revenue, highlighting rising cross-border demand and the effectiveness of Ozon’s marketplace tools.

In addition, the company strengthened its position in the regional tech ecosystem, ranking second among Russia’s most valuable internet companies, with a valuation of around $28 billion.

As one of the leading multi-category e-commerce platforms in the region, Ozon continues to leverage its extensive logistics network and marketplace infrastructure to expand internationally and attract new sellers.

New Logistics and Seller Tools

To further support cross-border commerce, Ozon Global introduced a new air cargo delivery channel via TT Express TR, enabling faster shipments from Türkiye to Russia.

Alongside logistics improvements, the company launched updated seller onboarding guides, focusing on product listing optimization and logistics models such as rFBS. These resources aim to simplify entry for new merchants and improve operational efficiency.

Community Engagement and Expansion

Ozon Global is also investing in its seller ecosystem through offline engagement. A recent networking event in Istanbul brought together over 100 participants, offering insights into the Russian market and opportunities for Turkish businesses.

Strategic Outlook

With continued investment in logistics, seller enablement, and marketplace growth, Ozon Global is positioning itself as a key gateway for cross-border e-commerce between Türkiye and Russia.

The latest updates underline a clear strategy:

expand international seller participation
enhance delivery infrastructure
and strengthen platform usability

As global e-commerce competition intensifies, Ozon’s combination of scale, logistics capabilities, and localized seller support is expected to play a central role in its next phase of growth.

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Türkiye Unveils Landmark Investment Reform Package to Reinforce Global Competitiveness

Türkiye has announced a comprehensive investment reform package aimed at strengthening its position in the global economy, signaling a decisive shift toward long-term structural transformation and investor-centric policy making.

The initiative, introduced by Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, reflects a coordinated effort to enhance macroeconomic stability, improve the investment climate, and attract sustained foreign direct investment (FDI).

Structural Reforms Anchored in Predictability and Confidence

At the center of the reform agenda is a commitment to predictability, transparency, and institutional reliability, key pillars for international investors assessing emerging markets. The package introduces measures to streamline administrative procedures, reinforce legal frameworks, and reduce operational friction for both domestic and foreign investors.

Rather than a short-term stimulus, the reforms are positioned as part of a broader economic rebalancing strategy designed to support sustainable growth and integration into global value chains.

Targeted Incentives to Drive High-Value Investment

A defining feature of the package is its targeted approach to sectoral development. The government is prioritizing high-value industries, including advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and export-oriented services, through a series of competitive tax incentives and regulatory advantages.

These measures are expected to significantly enhance Türkiye’s attractiveness for multinational corporations seeking regional production and service hubs, particularly amid ongoing global supply chain realignments.

Strategic Positioning of Istanbul as a Financial Center

The reform framework places strong emphasis on advancing Istanbul Financial Center as a regional and international financial hub. By aligning regulatory standards with global benchmarks and offering tailored incentives, Türkiye aims to attract leading financial institutions and deepen capital market activity.

This positioning leverages Istanbul’s geographic advantage as a bridge between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, an increasingly valuable proposition in a fragmented global economic environment.

A Long-Term Vision for Economic Transformation

Beyond immediate investment flows, the reform package underscores Türkiye’s ambition to transition toward a more resilient, technology-driven, and export-led economic model. The focus on fiscal discipline, productivity, and institutional strengthening reflects a strategic recalibration following recent macroeconomic challenges.

Implications for Global Investors

For international stakeholders, the scale and scope of the reform signal a renewed commitment to economic orthodoxy and openness. If effectively implemented, the package could reposition Türkiye as a key destination for capital allocation across multiple sectors.

At a time when investors are actively reassessing global exposure, Türkiye’s reform agenda presents a timely and potentially transformative opportunity.

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