THE INTERNATIONAL CARPET WORLD GATHERED AT THE ISTANBUL CFE FAIR
The global carpet industry came together at CFE 2023 – Carpet & Flooring Expo, held on December 5–8 at the Istanbul Expo Center in collaboration with İHİB, GAHİB, and Tüyap Fairs Group.
Istanbul once again became the global meeting point for the carpet trade. Organized jointly by the Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association (İHİB), the Southeastern Anatolian Carpet Exporters’ Association (GAHİB), and the Tüyap Fairs Group, the Carpet & Flooring Expo hosted nearly 400 exhibitors and welcomed 21,284 visitors from 103 countries. The fair featured participation from 50 companies across America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The opening ceremony was conducted by Vice President of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz, with the attendance of Deputy Minister of Trade Mahmut Gürcan, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, Mayor of Gaziantep Fatma Şahin, TİM President Mustafa Gültepe, İHİB President Ahmet Hayri Diler, GAHİB President Zeynal Abidin Kaplan, and TÜYAP General Manager İlhan Ersözlü.
Emphasizing that the fair marked a turning point for Turkey’s carpet exports, Ahmet Hayri Diler stated: “The carpet industry is an important bridge that connects our country’s cultural richness and artistry with the world. Every participant came together to strengthen this bridge and to promote Turkish carpets to a broader global audience. This fair brings together industry professionals, designers, and buyers, fostering international collaborations. Turkish carpets are already recognized worldwide for their quality and aesthetics, and through this exhibition, we aim to showcase these qualities to an even wider audience. Our carpet industry not only preserves traditional craftsmanship but also breathes new life into the sector by combining it with modern design and technology. CFE will serve as a platform for innovative approaches, and the next edition will be held on *anuary 7–10, 2025, at the **Istanbul Expo Center.”
