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What Activities Can You Perform by Setting Up a Liaison Office in Turkey?

What Activities Can You Perform by Setting Up a Liaison Office in Turkey?

Published
4 min read
What Activities Can You Perform by Setting Up a Liaison Office in Turkey?
M
I’m Evren ozmen, a CPA based in Istanbul, advising remote workers, freelancers, and international founders on Turkish tax and cross-border structuring. I focus on practical tax strategies around: 100% service export income deduction Tax residency in Turkey Company formation for foreigners Remote work and international income I break down complex tax rules into clear, actionable guidance — without losing the legal and compliance reality behind them. info@ozmconsultancy.com 🇹🇷 Türkiye genelinde; yazılım ve dijital ürün geliştiren şirketler, yurt dışına uzaktan hizmet sunan profesyoneller, Teknopark firmaları, oyun stüdyoları ve mobil uygulama şirketlerine Türkçe ve İngilizce mali ve vergisel danışmanlık hizmetleri sunuyoruz. 📘 Insights & Publications: https://medium.com/@evrenozmen 📩 For Online Tax Advisory & Accounting Services/Danışmanlık-Mali Müşavirlik Hizmetleri: info@ozmconsultancy.com

What Activities Can You Perform by Setting Up a Liaison Office in Turkey?

Establishing a liaison office in Turkey is a fantastic way for foreign companies to get a foothold in the Turkish market without jumping directly into commercial activities. But what exactly can a liaison office do?

Let’s break it down with examples and a simple, fun-to-read format!

💡
While liaison offices can’t engage in direct sales or revenue-generating activities, they are allowed to conduct a variety of essential tasks that can help your business grow, from market research to building local relationships.

Here’s a look at the key activities you can carry out through your liaison office:

1. Representation and Hospitality

Want to make a good impression? Your liaison office can represent your company at industry events, trade fairs, or meetings with key sectoral organizations in Turkey. You can also use the office to coordinate meetings and provide office space for your company executives visiting from abroad.

Example ActivityWhat You Can Do
Representing at trade showsAttend and network at local industry events on behalf of your foreign company.
Office space for visiting staffProvide office facilities for your team visiting Turkey for business meetings.

2. Quality Control and Supplier Audits

If your company is producing goods in Turkey or sourcing products, your liaison office can oversee quality control and supplier audits. This ensures that all production meets your brand’s international quality standards.

Example ActivityWhat You Can Do
Supplier auditsInspect Turkish suppliers to ensure they meet your company's quality requirements.
Quality control for productionOversee the production process to ensure compliance with your brand’s quality standards.

3. Technical Support

Providing training and technical support to local distributors is another important function. Whether you’re offering hands-on guidance to improve their performance or providing them with technical knowledge, this activity is critical to building strong relationships in Turkey.

Example ActivityWhat You Can Do
Training for distributorsOrganize workshops or training sessions to enhance distributor skills and product knowledge.
Quality enhancement supportHelp local suppliers upgrade their processes to meet your global quality standards.

4. Communication and Information Sharing

Stay updated on the Turkish market! Your liaison office can gather crucial information on market trends, competitor activities, and consumer preferences, ensuring you’re always ahead of the game. This information can be shared with your foreign headquarters to fine-tune your strategy.

Example ActivityWhat You Can Do
Market insightsCollect and report data on local market conditions, consumer behaviors, and trends.
Competitor analysisMonitor competitor and distributor performance and sales activities in Turkey.

5. Regional Management Center

If your company operates across multiple countries, a liaison office in Turkey can act as a regional hub for various activities, including planning, strategy development, brand management, and even employee training.

Example ActivityWhat You Can Do
Strategy planningCoordinate investment, marketing, and sales strategies for the region.
Staff trainingOffer training and development programs for employees across various countries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While the activities mentioned above are all permitted, there are a few important rules to keep in mind. Liaison offices cannot:

  • Engage in direct sales or generate revenue.

  • Sign contracts or issue invoices.

  • Get involved in commercial transactions.

Pro Tip: Stick to the authorized activities to maintain your tax exemptions and avoid penalties!

Ready to Set Up a Liaison Office in Turkey?

Setting up a liaison office is an efficient, low-cost way to explore the Turkish market and build a local presence without jumping straight into commercial activities. Whether you want to focus on market research, supplier relationships, or regional management, we’re here to help!

Contact us today and let our expert team handle the entire process—from obtaining the necessary permits to managing ongoing compliance.

We’ll make sure your liaison office is set up smoothly and operates effectively.

  • Email: info@ozmconsultancy.com

  • Phone: +90 216 352 29 61

  • Website:www.ozmconsultancy.com

Take the first step towards success in Turkey!