Facebook, Turkish government collaborate to train SMEs

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Turkish government, Facebook and a powerful business group are working together to create a digital training portal for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Turkey’s Trade Ministry said on Tuesday.

Under the collaboration, which includes the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), SMEs can access videos on ministry support and services through a new page called Facebook Istasyon.

The portal will serve SMEs first, and in the second phase artisans and tradespeople.

Ruhsar Pekcan, the trade minister, said coronavirus changed people's habits, boosting the use of social media sites and online platforms.

The ministry posted videos and animations through the online channel thanks to cooperation with Facebook, Pekcan said.

"In these difficult days, we continue to work hard with all my colleagues to serve you in your homes," she added.

After originating in Wuhan, China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 185 countries and regions across the world. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit.

The pandemic has killed more than 212,000 people worldwide, with the total number of infections exceeding 3.06 million, while at least 905,600 have recovered from the disease, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.

The virus infected 112,261 people in Turkey so far, causing 2,900 deaths, according to the official figures released Monday.