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International Shoe Fashion Fair started in Istanbul

The 67th International Shoe Fashion Fair, which is the largest organization in Europe in its field, opened its doors in Istanbul.

Speaking at the opening of the fair, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) President Mustafa Gultepe stated that they have the highest capacity in shoe production in Europe. He said that the sector exceeded $1 billion in exports for the first time last year, and that they aim to export $3 billion in the medium term.

Expressing that they want to increase the number of sectors with current account surplus, Gultepe said, “The way is clear. We have to produce more, use the possibilities of technology, add value to what we produce, increase the share of sustainable environmentally friendly products, become a brand and export more.”

Noting that she rediscovered the Turkish shoes that Europe had known for many years during the global epidemic, Gultepe said, “Germany ranks first among the countries to which shoes are exported this year. The increase in our exports to EU countries gives hope. European buyers are also very interested in AYMOD. Despite the recession expectation, it is very important for Europeans to come to Istanbul. I believe that this interest will return to cooperation and trade in the coming periods.”

“We will not forget the markets outside Europe”

Mustafa Gultepe stated that they will not forget other markets while focusing on Europe and said that they, as TIM, will give all kinds of support to exporters. Expressing that they will organize a trade delegation every month next year, and that they will carry out one month to distant countries, Gultepe said, “As you know, global markets are expected to shrink next year. We want our exporters to get through this process undamaged.”

“The shoe industry is very important for both Turkiye and Istanbul”

Erdal Bahcivan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), pointed out the difficulties of organizing an organization 67 times and said that it is necessary to be proud of the wide spread of the fair.

Mentioning the importance of the shoe industry for both Turkiye and Istanbul, Bahcivan stated that the industry is extremely active in ISO. Bahcivan explained that such strong teamwork and being organized like a family contributed significantly on the road to international success.

Referring to the difficult process in the world, Bahcivan said, “Turkiye, with its dynamic power and industrialists, has the opportunity to take these challenges from threat to opportunity. We have the capacity to overcome all difficulties. We should not just say this. We need to consider what we can do in line with this goal.”

“Our 2022 export expectation is $1.3 billion”

TASD President Berke Icten, on the other hand, stated that there was a great leap in shoe exports after 2014, and that the interest in Turkish shoes increased in EU countries with the epidemic and the market diversified.

Noting that the sector, which had a current account deficit of $350 million 8 years ago, closed 2021 with a current account surplus of $500 million, he made the following statements:

“In addition to our traditional footwear markets, this year we are faced with an intense demand from EU countries, especially Germany, and the UK. In 2022, 4 of our 5 biggest markets are EU countries. In the January-August period, we increased our exports to Germany, which has become our biggest market, with an increase of 44.3% to $65.7 million. In the same period, we exported 68.8% more to Italy and 36.3 more to Romania. We started 2022 with an export target of $1.3 billion. We approached $800 million in 8 months. We think we will achieve our target by the end of the year.”

“European buyers turned the route to Turkiye”

Berke Icten stated that they will start the last quarter of the year with the synergy that AYMOD will provide, and said that European buyers could not find what they wanted from the MICAM shoe fair held in Italy a short time ago.

Icten said, “For this reason, European buyers turned the route from MICAM to AYMOD and came to Istanbul. I predict that we will be able to reach our target of $1.3 billion this year, with the morale that will be created by new collaborations between our companies and buyers during the fair. If we do not encounter a setback, we can easily exceed $1.5 billion in 2023.”

Expressing that they want to increase their shoe export to $3 billion in the medium term, Icten stated that they aim to get a larger share from the global market.

“We are organizing the biggest fair ever”

Head of TASD Icten stated that 7,000 foreigners have registered for the fair so far and said, “We think that we will exceed 25 thousand in the total number of visitors. With the participation of 428 companies, the fair, which we have realized on a gross area of ​​60 thousand square meters, is attended by purchasing delegations from nearly 50 countries. At 67th AYMOD, we are organizing our biggest fair to date. This year, we are also hosting 600 VIP customers with the organization of our association.”

Foreign buyers from nearly 50 countries are in Istanbul

The International Shoe Fashion Fair is held with the participation of 428 companies. Nearly 7,000 foreign buyers from approximately 50 countries attend AYMOD, Europe’s largest organization in its field, and a total of 25 thousand visitors are expected.

From sports to leather, from children to women, footwear products of all types and all ages were exhibited, and 2023 spring-summer season products were showcased for the first time.

The fair, whose opening was attended by the President of Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association (IDMIB) Guven Karaca and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Footwear Industry Research Development and Education Foundation (TASEV), Huseyin Cetin, will end on October 1.

Source: Trthaber / Translated by Irem Yildiz

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