An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Aliasgar Poonawala, Founder and Director of Rosetta Flooring
By Behnam Ghasemi – Editor in Chief, MENA Covering
During the ICFE Istanbul exhibition, MENA Covering spoke with Mr. Aliasgar Poonawala, Founder and Director of Rosetta Flooring, about the shifting geography of the global carpet industry, increasing competition, and the role of creativity in shaping the sector’s future.
According to Mr. Poonawala, Central Asia has historically been the heart of the carpet world. “Turkey, Iran, Persia — this region has always been a hub for carpets,” he noted. What is changing today, however, is the consolidation of global industry players in Istanbul.
“This exhibition used to be in Germany, but today you can clearly see that much of the carpet segment from those European shows has effectively moved here. Every year ICFE is becoming bigger and more popular. It’s impressive to see the entire carpet community gathering under one roof in Istanbul.”
A Complete Industry Ecosystem Under One Roof
ICFE Istanbul now reflects the full spectrum of the carpet value chain. From machine-made carpets to handmade, tufted, tiles, fibers, machinery and flooring solutions, the exhibition offers a comprehensive industry overview.
“It’s a very wide variety,” Mr. Poonawala emphasized. “Everything that is part of the carpet industry is represented here. From new developments and creativity to pricing perspectives, buyers can see the entire market dynamic in one place.”
However, he also pointed out that participation from the handmade segment, particularly from India and other traditional handmade carpet regions, could be stronger. “The handmade area still has room to grow in terms of international participation. I’m confident it will improve over time.”
Competition Is Growing — But Creativity Remains the Core
As the exhibition expands, competition naturally intensifies. Yet Mr. Poonawala believes that pricing alone cannot define the future of the carpet industry.
“Carpet is creativity. Innovation is what ultimately drives the industry forward. It cannot always be about price. The more brands create and innovate, the stronger the entire sector becomes.”
ICFE Istanbul, in his view, successfully balances both elements — innovation and competitive pricing — making it increasingly attractive for international buyers.
Rosetta Flooring: Expanding Manufacturing Across India and Dubai
Rosetta Flooring operates primarily in India and the Middle East, offering a wide range of flooring products through an established distribution network. The company’s Indian operations focus on handmade and hand-tufted carpets, while its Dubai-based facility, Radiant Carpets Manufacturing, produces carpets and carpet tiles for regional and international markets.
Read more: Rosetta Flooring Expands Regional Presence with New Dubai Facility and Sustainability Focus
With manufacturing in both India and the UAE, Rosetta represents the evolving cross-regional production model that defines today’s carpet industry — blending craftsmanship, industrial capacity, and strategic geographic positioning.
ICFE Istanbul continues to demonstrate that the center of gravity in the global carpet industry is shifting, with Türkiye increasingly positioning itself as a strategic meeting point between Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
If you also visited ICFE Istanbul, we invite you to share your thoughts and insights with us in the comments section below.
