Posted by meb at May 26th, 2008

The third “Iraq International Fair,” held in the southeastern city of Gaziantep, was deemed satisfactory by Turkish companies.

The fair, attended by more than 600 companies from 30 countries, has resulted in new sales and export opportunities. Many Turkish firms have secured new deals, while some decided to expand into international markets, thanks to the fair.

Yaşar Özer, general manager of Murat International Foreign Trade, said they established new contacts. “Our exports last year amounted to $44 million. We aim for a 20 percent growth this year,” Özer said.

Mehmet Kahraman, sales manager of İlkerler Otomotiv, a first-timer at the fair, said they received many invitations from Iraqi investors. “We have secured deals with Iraqi and U.S. companies [on generators and fork lifts],” he said. “The amount of offers we received amount to $300,000. We plan to visit Iraq and Syria and assess the market.”

Finding the fair “productive,” Erhan Sayın, vice president of Sayınlar Gıda, a food company, said they became acquainted with new customers. Exporting to Iraq since 2003, Sayınlar reached an export volume of $12-13 million last year.

Bülent Kurt, sales manager of Enderpen, a producer of door and window systems and exterior coverings, said Iraq is “one of their main markets.” Active in Iraq for the last six years and with 10 retailers, Enderpen’s annual export volume to Iraq has reached $5 million. “The market is big and we want a greater share,” he said.
source: Turkish Daily News