Türkiye Highlights Global Carpet Leadership and Launches UNESCO Bid for “Turkish Carpet”
The International Carpet & Flooring Expo – ICFE 2026, the world’s largest dedicated exhibition for the carpet and flooring industry, officially opened its doors in Istanbul, bringing together global manufacturers, exporters, designers, and industry professionals under one roof. Held at the Istanbul Expo Center, the event once again positions Istanbul as a key global hub for the international carpet trade.
The opening ceremony was attended by senior government and industry figures, including Ömer Bolat, Fatma Şahin, and Ahmet Hayri Diler. Organizers announced that ICFE 2026 is being held across 11 exhibition halls, covering more than 100,000 square meters, and is expected to welcome tens of thousands of professional visitors from around the world.
Also Read: The World’s Biggest Carpet Fair: ICFE 2026 Combines Commerce with Design and Art
Gaziantep at the Center of Carpet Culture and Industry
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening, Fatma Şahin emphasized that Gaziantep is not only a major production base but also a cultural stronghold of carpet heritage.
“For us, carpet is not just an industrial product; it is part of our cultural identity and civilizational memory,” she stated.
Şahin officially confirmed that the process to nominate the “Turkish Carpet” for inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List has begun, with Gaziantep playing a central role in the application. Drawing on the city’s extensive experience with UNESCO—ranging from its Creative City of Gastronomy status to registered traditional crafts—she noted that the municipality has both the technical expertise and institutional capacity to prepare a strong and credible dossier.
Istanbul’s Ambition to Reclaim Its Global Trade Role
Ahmet Hayri Diler, President of the Istanbul Carpet Exporters Association, underlined that ICFE’s long-term vision is to restore Istanbul’s historical position as the global center of carpet trade. He highlighted the strong international dimension of the show, with exhibitors from more than 25 countries, spanning Europe and Asia, and stressed that ICFE has reached a leading position not only in production strength but also as an international exhibition platform.
Export Goals and Industry Outlook
During the opening, Turkish officials reiterated the strategic importance of the carpet and textile sector in terms of production, employment, and exports, noting that it remains a cornerstone of Türkiye’s broader economic vision. Plans are also underway to further strengthen ICFE through side events, international carpet design competitions, exhibitions, and deeper integration with cultural institutions and museums.
ICFE 2026 will continue until January 9 at the Istanbul Expo Center. Beyond its commercial impact, this year’s edition is expected to play a significant role in reinforcing Türkiye’s position not only as a global carpet manufacturing powerhouse, but also as a guardian of carpet culture as a shared heritage of humanity.
