From May 28 to May 31, 2024, the inaugural Gaziantep Carpet Fair took place at the Gaziantep Middle East Fair Center (OFM), solidifying the city’s reputation as a global hub for the carpet industry. Organized by Tüyap Exhibitions Group in collaboration with the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce, the event drew significant international attention with 150 companies from 10 countries and visitors from 80 different countries.
The fair, which featured a wide array of products including machine-made carpets, rugs, prayer rugs, and textile floor coverings, proved to be a pivotal event for the carpet sector. It provided a platform for numerous negotiations, agreements, and collaborations, promising substantial opportunities for both participating companies and the broader industry.
Ilhan Ersözlü, General Manager of Tüyap Exhibitions Group, highlighted Gaziantep’s global leadership in machine-made carpet production and exports. “Such potential needs to be better known worldwide and in our country. We believe that our fair, held for the first time this year, made a significant impact,” Ersözlü remarked.
Tuncay Yıldırım, Chairman of the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce, expressed his excitement and optimism for the fair’s impact on Gaziantep’s economy. “This fair, which undoubtedly provided great benefits for our companies to strengthen existing business connections and establish new ones, also contributed positively to the recovery of our region, which has been severely affected by the earthquakes on February 6,” Yıldırım stated.
The Gaziantep Carpet Fair, supported by local governmental and industry organizations, aimed to attract international visitors, particularly from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Attendees included representatives from countries such as the UAE, Germany, Iraq, Egypt, and many more.
Turkey’s significant role in the global carpet industry was underscored by its $3 billion in exports to 117 countries, making it the second-largest exporter of carpets worldwide and the leading producer of machine-made carpets.
The event concluded on a high note, with expectations for the fair to become an annual highlight for the industry, further enhancing Gaziantep’s status as the capital of the carpet industry.
