Essentials of Entry into Turkish Public Procurement Market and EKAP Registration for Foreign Companies

As per Turkish Public Procurement Laws and Regulations, all bidders who wish to submit bids for tenders condcuted as per Turkish Public Procurement Law No. 4734 shall be registered in the Turkish Electronic Public Procurement Platform (EKAP). This requirement covers both domestic and foreign companies.

Since early 2019, Turkish Public Procurement Authority (PPA) started registration of foreign companies in EKAP. In order for foreign companies to be registered in EKAP, foreign companies (legal persons) shall first obtain a potential tax identification number from the Revenue Administration (tax offices). For information regarding how this number can be obtained from tax offices, please visit https://www.gib.gov.tr/en/references-and-resources/frequently-asked-questions .

After, obtaining potential tax identification number from the tax offfice, foreign companies shall start EKAP registration process on EKAP web site. (https://ekap.kik.gov.tr/EKAP/Yetki/IstekliKaydi.aspx) During this registration process, EKAP system retieves company information directly from the system of Revenue Administration via the potential tax identification number. EKAP system's registration module provides a step-by-step online process. After relevant information are filled out and submitted on EKAP, the registration protocol is automatically produced. The foreign company shall print out this protocol and have it signed by its authorized executive/executives. After the protocol is signed. following documents shall be prepared and delivered to PPA along with the signed protocol.

• The original or notarized copy of the document demonstrating that the legal person is enrolled in a chamber, which is taken in the same year as the registration of protocol and taken from chamber of commerce and/or industry in which it is enrolled pursuant to relevant legislation,
• Notarized list of authorized signatures of the legal person,
• If the protocol is signed by an attorney, notarized power of attorney letter issued for attorney and notarized specimen signature form of the attorney,
• Notarized letter of attorney and notarized specimen signature form of persons authorised to make transactions severally using e-signature on behalf of the legal person (in case other people beyond authorized executives of the company are needed by the company for conduct of procedures on EKAP).

For foreign companies above mentioned documents are normally obtained from relevant authorities of their countries. These documents shall be submitted to PPA after they are properly approved and translated by relevant authorities (apostille stamps on documents, approvals by Turkish consulates, translatioons to Turkish by sworn translators) as per form submission rules and regulations.

After the signed protocol and supporting dcouments mentioned above are delivered to EKAP, PPA staff controls the documents and information, and if the documents comply with form requirements and all relevant information are verified, the registration is approved by PPA.

Note: Please contact me if you need consultancy service regarding above mentioned procedures. Please beware that EKAP and GIB pages are in Turkish and any fault or omission in supporting documents result in unnecessary lengthy period for approval. This may result in passing of the due dates of tender that are of interest. Hence, it is essential for foreign companies to receive expert support in this process.

Ümit ALSAÇ

Public Procurement, Public Procurement Contracts and EKAP Consultant

Former Public Procurement Expert at the Turkish Public Procurement Authority

For fee based consultancy and training services please reach me at:

E-mail: ualsac@gmail.com