Textile and leather exporters from Turkey represent largest group of traders at Motexha 2006

More than 30 exporters from the country representing over 35 exclusive brands in Textiles, Leather and Apparels will take part at Motexha, it was announced.

Turkey is one of the most important textile producing countries in the world, with more than 40000 companies being active in the textile and apparel sector. Close to a quarter of the top 500 industrial enterprises in the country operate in the textile and apparel sector and the industry is a key player in Turkey's industrialisation process. Leather industry in Turkey represents 2.2 per cent of the country's total industrial production, with more than 2200 companies working in the sector.

Turkish textile sector has given renewed importance and investment into research and development activities. As a measure of product differentiation, the industry has focused heavily on investing in medical, technical, and organic textiles. In addition, Turkish textile manufacturers have been seeking sectoral partnerships into international markets, while making huge investments in technology to increase productivity and lowering costs. In 2005, Turkey's leather shoe wear to handbags and accessories exports totalled approximately US$ 150 million and apparel exports US$ 7.5 billion. In the same period, Turkish leather shoe wear to handbags and accessories exports to the Middle East exceeded US$ 40 million.

"The Middle East has a growing share within the total exports of Turkish leather shoes, textiles and apparel exports. We expect this to increase by four to five-fold within the next five years," says Selda Sehirlioglu of Turkey Aegean Exporters Association.

"For Turkish companies targeting the Middle East fashion market, Motexha is regarded as the 'must' and the "best" event to market their products to the greater Middle East and to develop business opportunities in this region. At this year's Motexha Turkish companies will exhibit products ranging from leather footwear, to handbags and accessories, to men and ladies' apparel. Motexha provides the ideal platform to penetrate a number of regional markets in one place at one time."

Echoing the sentiments of Selda, Ozge Kucukturk, Project Manager, Atilim Fairs and Organisers, said, "Middle East market is very important for Turkish companies. Motexha is one of the important exhibitions for fashion in Middle East and it is the point for the Turkish companies to come in contact with the buyers from Middle East and the nearby region."

In the past, Turkish Country pavilion have been robustly represented at Motexha, where a majority of traders sought active partnership to tap the Middle East region's affluent markets. This year promises to be the same. Such a response to the show has been primarily due to the position of Dubai as a leading textile trading centre for Turkish products and the increased trading links between Istanbul and Dubai.

Geoffrey Booy, Exhibition Director, Motexha 2006, said, " The share of Turkey's global textile, garment and leather exports dramatically increased four fold in the past two decades, positioning the country in the leader table of leading world exporters. The sector in Turkey has proven its competitiveness and dynamism over the past decade by surviving the customs union process with the EU and increasing its share in world trade with the lowest protection levels. However the challenges posed by the dismantlement of quotas needs to be addressed and Motexha 2006 would provide Turkish exporters to deal with this matter head on."

Turkey, which is the 17th largest economy in the world has an annual trade of approximately US$ 200 billion. Dubai's non-oil foreign trade with Turkey reached AED 3.6 billion (US$ 982 million) in the year 2004, re-exports to Turkey reached AED 198 million (US$ 53.9 million), exports to Turkey reached AED 61.3 million (US$ 16.7 million), while Dubai's imports from Turkey were AED 3.3 billion (US$ 911.6 million) in the same year. Turkey and UAE has entered into a tacit agreement to increase trade between the two countries to US$ 6 billion by 2011, a significant portion of which, would originate from Dubai.