Turkey's textile exports to UAE head for 30 per cent jump

Harun Kacok, Turkey's commercial attaché to the UAE, gave the forecast as the three-day 'Made in Turkey' exhibition, the country's first official trade fair in the Emirates, headed for its climax today at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Turkey's top fashion designers used the event to showcase exclusive collections specially designed for the Middle East market and to underline the country's growing reputation as a real force in the fashion world.

Kacok said: 'Turkey's home textile and fashion exports to the UAE totaled US$60 million (dhs220 million) in 2004, an increase of 25% on 2003, and we're expecting a further rise of 30% this year.' He added: 'The increase in exports of Turkish textiles can be attributed in part to the re-opening of Iraqi markets and a rise in oil prices.'

Organised by Expotim International Fair Organisations Inc, the 'Made in Turkey' exhibition featured daily fashion shows from leading Turkish designers and attracted a total of 270 companies from the Turkish fashion, construction and machinery sectors.

Confirming the potential for further growth in the UAE and Gulf region, many of Turkey's premier fashion houses and clothing manufacturers announced lucrative deals and regional partnerships clinched through their participation at 'Made in Turkey'.

'Within hours of the exhibition opening my company signed a contract with a fashion retailer in Saudi Arabia,' said Suha Bacalan, manager of the Party 21 clothing line, which is currently stocked in 18 different stores across the UAE. 'Initially worth US$20,000, the contract will expand our presence in the region and add to the US$500,000 per year we earn from exports to the Gulf.'

Janine Tekstil, another leading Turkish brand with aims to grow Arab business links, will open its first Middle East branch in the Mirdif area of Dubai later this year. 'This market has great potential and we believe offering high quality clothing at relatively low prices will bring us success,' said Ahmet Kismet, owner Janine Tekstil.

Having exported US$1 million (dhs3.66 million) worth of designs to the region in just one season last year, leading Turkish fashion designer Fergal Usta has now teamed up with Ansa Textiles to produce the Womart brand, which enjoyed its Middle East launch at Made in Turkey this week.

'Usta's designs have proved popular throughout Europe with the UK being our main market at present,' said Sayat Delice, marketing manager for Ansa. 'We're now looking for wholesalers in the UAE and surrounding area to emulate the success we've had elsewhere manufacturing for brands such as Burton in France and Alexon in the UK.'

Omar Bali, international sales and marketing manager of casual clothing brand Seven Hill, explained why the market is exploding in UAE and how companies like his can capitalise on new demands:

'The Middle East market is not saturated as it is in Europe,' said Bali. 'Turkish designers are realising that people here want diverse and sophisticated clothes and therefore the potential for our western-style, more relaxed designs is huge.'