Unexplored Market Africa

African countries are the biggest potential market for Turkey in the fashion and design sectors

Fashion, design, textile, and ready-made clothing sectors are playing an important role in economic development with the big employment opportunities that they provide, the added value that they have created, and their weight in the international trade. Also, these areas are indispensable sectors for our country because of their high shares in the export revenues. In fact, successful young designers are growing in Turkey in line with opportunities. As in Turkey, there are thousands of young designers on the African continent. I can say that famous European brands are impressed by the works of African designers and are inspired from them. However, the necessary support is not provided for these young designers. Also, they have not given the chance to go outside their region and to open up to the world. And we, as AFWEU, have helped many of them to show their designs in Turkey and Europe only with our efforts. We are continuing our works in this regard. We have determined the theme of our event AFWEU/ Fashion Week Istanbul, which the 9th of it will be organized on 22-24 December, as “Africa”. Designers, artists, textile firms, and businessmen from the African continent will participate in our organization.

TEXTILE IS PLAYING THE KEY ROLE IN INDUSTRIALISM

Ready-made clothing sector and leather production, along with the textile, are among the most dynamic economic activities in the history and playing an essential role in the industrialization process of Turkey also. Textile industry has protected its competitive and dynamic structure in the world market by renewing production methods and instruments and producing high value-added products such as technical textile. There is a need for fashion and textile in the African continent that has the youngest generation. Therefore, the African countries are the biggest potential market for Turkey in the fashion and design sectors. Also, almost 1.3 billion people population of the continent, rich underground sources, and increasing income per capita are the other features that make the region desirable.

Africa provides an additional advantage to the investors who want to enter the market with its closed economic structure

AFRICA: THE NEW MARKET OF THE TURKISH EXPORTERS

The reduction of purchase of the European Union, which is the traditional export market of Turkey, by giving in to the global crisis and the bad affairs in Europe-Turkey relations in recent years are directed Turkish exporters to a search for a new market. While Turkish companies have directed to the Middle East, Turkic Republics, and especially the African markets, the most significant improvement was made by Africa. The fact that Africa, which is an unexplored market, needs every product in almost every sector gives the opportunity to Turkish exporters on marketing their wide range of products.

MANY MORE COMMERCIAL VOYAGES SHOULD BE MADE TO AFRICA

The fact that the economies of the countries in the continent are small shows that their growth numbers are more positive compared to the developed countries. There should be definitely more commercial voyages made to African countries and various events should be organized. Also, conveniences should be provided in visa to the continent countries and the visits between the two countries should be eased. The result of the meeting between the countries will include definitely some serious economic results. The African continent that has to import almost 95 percent of the industrial products are importing over 250 billion dollars every year. It provides an additional advantage to the investors who want to enter the market with its closed economic structure because this enables to be affected by the crises in minimum level.

African Fashion Week Organizer Aydın Açık