Home Textile Exports December 2020

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The big actor
in world scene
I don’t know how the new normal is going to be but we all know that
the Turkish home textile industry is aware of the trend in international
markets towards the increasing demand for healthier and more environmentally
friendly products and quickly adapts itself to developments in
legal and technical regulations. Turkish home textile manufacturers are
very conscious about fashion development and design, an ability which
enables them to gain a special place in international markets. New and
modern designs and unique motifs, all developed by Turkish designers,
keep a finger on the pulse of world home decoration fashion and meet
most tastes and preferences.
Turkish sector is a growing, dynamic and developing sector both with
its production and domestic and foreign trade volume. It has sustained
its development as a branch of textile and garment industry. This venture,
which began with the weaving industry in Anatolia, has become
famous with weaving in a number of regions including the Buldan
Fabric of Denizli, the Silk of Bursa and Kargı Fabric of Corum, just to
name a few.
Group Chairman
Publisher
Managing Editor
(Responsible)
Advisory Board
Editorial Consultants
Correspondents
Domestic
Advertising Manager
International
Sales Manager
Technical Manager
Art Director
Design&Graphics
H.Ferruh ISIK
ISTMAG Magazin Gazetecilik
Yayıncılık İç ve Dış Ticaret Ltd. Şti.
Mehmet SOZTUTAN
(mehmet.soztutan@img.com.tr)
Osman Nuri CANIK
Ufuk OCAK
Hilmi GULCEMAL
Pınar TASDELEN
Ayse Mehtap EKINCI
Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Ali OZBUDUN
Inkrit BERBEE
(inkrit@lobsterconcepts.nl)
Milou KET
(studio@milouket.com)
Dr. Rolf ARORA
Elke ARORA
Adem SACIN
(adem.sacin@img.com.tr)
+90 505 577 36 42
Omer Faruk GORUN
(omer.gorun@img.com.tr)
Ayca SARIOGLU
(ayca.sarioglu@img.com.tr)
Tel: +90 212 604 5100
Tayfun AYDIN
(tayfun.aydin@img.com.tr)
Tolga CAKMAKLI
(tolga.cakmakli@img.com.tr)
Tayfun AYDIN
(tayfun.aydin@img.com.tr)
Turkish home textile products have reached a position in which they
can comfortably compete in world markets. The main reasons for this
are a huge variety in fabric and design, production with latest technology,
utilization of innovative and modern design and motifs, as well as
a combination of the highest-level quality and reasonable prices. Today
in Turkey, all types of home textile goods are being manufactured and
Turkish home textile production is progressing on the road to becoming
one of the leading markets thanks to greater product variety and
excellence in quality.
Mehmet SOZTUTAN
(mehmet.soztutan@img.com.tr)
Chief Accountant
Subscription
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Tel: +90 212 454 22 22
Faks: +90 212 454 22 93
www.hometextile.com.tr
Yusuf DEMIRKAZIK
(yusuf.demirkazik@img.com.tr )
Ismail OZCELIK
(ismail.ozcelik@img.com.tr)
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NEWS
EU’s GDP continues to narrow
amid pandemic
3 rd quarter preliminary figures show 27-member union’s
GDP continue to narrow
ISTANBUL – The EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) is
expected to contract 4.3% in the third quarter of this
year on an annual basis amid COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the bloc’s statistical authority Eurostat’s
flash estimate on Friday, the GDP also dropped 4.4% in
the eurozone in the July-September period, versus the
same quarter last year. The eurozone/euro area or EA19
represents member states that use the single currency --
euro -- while the EU27 includes all member countries of
the bloc.
The largest decline among member countries, of which
GDP data are available, were expected for Spain (8.7%),
Romania (6%), and Czechia (5.8%), while there were no
positive expectations for any countries.
Meanwhile, the EU and the eurozone’s GDP figures improved
by 11.6% and 12.6% month-on-month in the third
quarter, respectively.
The EU and the eurozone economies posted GDP declines
by 11.8% and 11.4% in the second quarter, and 3.3% and
3.7% in the first quarter of this year, on a yearly basis.
The union’s statistical department also expected that
the unemployment rate will post declines both in the EU
and eurozone. After originating in China last December,
COVID-19 has claimed over 1.29 million lives, and more
than 52.8 million people have contracted the virus globally.
European economy has been deeply affected by the pandemic.
December 2020

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NEWS
European bank to deploy
supply-chain finance in Turkey
Supply-chain finance can provide lower financing cost, improve business
efficiency, says EBRD director in Turkey
ANKARA – The European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD) said it was developing
new financing tools to support Turkey’s businesses
in eliminating economic fallout from to coronavirus
outbreak.
The bank has been preparing to deploy supply-chain
finance as businesses are under pressure because of
the virus, according to a statement.
Supply-chain finance took off after the 2008-09 financial
crisis and is prized by companies for its financial
flexibility, it noted.
EBRD Managing Director for Turkey Arvid Tuerkner told
chief financial officers from Turkey’s top companies at
the CFO Summit 2020 that supply chains are under
pressure due to rising coronavirus cases.
“Supply-chain finance can provide lower financing
costs and improve business efficiency for buyers and
sellers alike,” said Tuerkner.
Financing will pave the way for large firms to build more
sustainable and resilient supply chains, and for small to
medium-sized enterprises to access affordable, stable
and recurrent financing, he said. The EBRD is ready to
join with other financial institutions to provide greater
financing.
Arvid Tuerkner,
EBRD Managing Director for Turkey
A major investor in Turkey, the EBRD has provided 1.5
billion ($1.8 billion) in financing to the Turkish economy
in 2020.
December 2020

SEE YOU AT
HEIM TEXTIL 2020
Ozgul Packing, entered to packaging sector in
1999 which takes an important place in Turkish
and world economy; today it has carried
production facilities to 4.000 m2 indoor area from
140 m2 indoor area which was founded for PVC
bags producing.
Beside wire frame, piping and biding bags
it has expanded markets which was provided
facilities to high frequency packaging and offset
box packing as well.
Ozgul Packing is a leading company in
packaging sector with experienced staffs,
machine parks in the line with changing IT, R & D
efforts and product design.
Adil Mh. Vahdet Cd. Yamanlar Sk. No:9A/1 Sultanbeyli - Istanbul - TURKEY
Phone: +90 216 592 62 44 Fax: +90 216 592 95 75
Mail: info@ozgulambalaj.com

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“Turkey’s Central Bank deserves
credit, respect”
Delivering on market’s expectations for interest hike, CB’s new governor was
praised for decision by foreign economists
Naci Agbal,
CB Governor
Robin Brooks, the chief economist at the
US-based Institute of International Finance
Timothy Ash of London-based BlueBay
Asset Management.
ANKARA – Turkey’s Central Bank deserves a “huge
amount of credit and respect” for its interest rate
hike, said Robin Brooks, the chief economist at the
US-based Institute of International Finance.
Under its new governor, Naci Agbal, the bank increased
its one-week repo rate from 10.25% to 15%, meeting
market expectations.Following the announcement, the
Turkish lira appreciated by about 2% versus the US dollar,
reaching 7.55.“Lira appreciation is a de facto loosening in
financial conditions and good for Turkey,” noted Brooks
on his Twitter account.
Pointing to a massive shift in sentiment towards Emerging
Markets (EM), powered by the US election outcome and
news of effective COVID-19 vaccines, he said: “Inflows
to EM are surging and Turkey is participating in that EM
inflow. Good for the lira and good for growth.”
New governor has ‘good start’
“I think Agbal has got off to a very good start,” stressed
Timothy Ash, a senior emerging market strategist at
London-based BlueBay Asset Management.
“He has done what the market wanted him to do, hiking
the base rate by 475 basis points, but also simplifying the
policy, with the repo now being the only policy rate,” he
added.Referring the Central Bank’s statement, he said it
was also hawkish suggesting it will hold rates at 15% for
an extended period of time to push down inflation.
“This is everything the market could have hoped
for.”
Sharing similar views with Ash, Phoenix Kalen, emerging
markets strategy director at the Paris-based Societe
Generale, said market participants were elated and relieved
that Agbal got off to a “roaring start.”
“The commitment to transparency expressed by the CBRT
[Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey] is a strong and
credible step to rebuilding trust with both foreign investors
and with Turkey’s local depositor base,” she noted.
“We stay with our recommendations to be long Turkish
Lira against both the US dollar and euro, initiated last
week.”
Another comment came from Jason Tuvey, a senior
emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, saying
the rate hike appeared to have done enough to convince
investors that a positive shift in economic policymaking
was underway.“The rally in the lira probably has a bit further
to run over the coming months,” he concluded.
Tightening its monetary policy to ensure price stability,
the bank made it clear that all factors affecting inflation
will be taken into account to ensure price stability.
Last week’s shake-up of the economic management team
followed by comments from Turkey’s President Erdogan
had raised expectations of a sharp interest rate hike at
the meeting.
December 2020

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Turkey: Industrial Output Keeps
Recovering in September
Figure climbs 8.1% y-o-y and 1.7% on monthly basis thanks to
normalization from coronavirus
ANKARA – Turkey’s industrial
production continued to improve
in September thanks to
the period of normalization from the
coronavirus outbreak, the country’s
statistical authority reported recently.
September’s figure rose 8.1% compared
to the same month last year and
1.7% from the previous month, official
TurkStat data showed.
Industry and Technology
Minister Mustafa Varank
Commenting on data, Industry and
Technology Minister Mustafa Varank
said Turkey posted the best performance
among European countries.“With
our annual performance, we saw the highest increase
in production in Europe,” Varank wrote on Twitter.
He stressed that the double digit rises in intermediate
and capital goods production are promising in terms of
growth dynamics.By sub-sectors, intermediate and capital
goods indexes climbed 10.9% and 10.4% respectively
this September compared to the same period last year.
Among all manufacturing indices, the highest increase
on a yearly basis was recorded in medium
high technology products with
a 13.8% hike, while high technology
products saw a 11.2% decline in the
same period.
A group of 11 economists surveyed
by Anadolu Agency on Wednesday
projected unadjusted industrial production
index to rise by 8.7% on an
annual basis in September.
According to TurkStat, the purpose of
calculating monthly industrial production
index is to measure the evolution
of economy and the positive and negative effects of economical
political decisions in the short term.It noted that
the highest annual increase was seen in the electricity,
gas, steam, and air conditioning supply index -- up 8.6%
-- among all sub-sectors of the industrial sector. The manufacturing
index, with a 8.5% hike, and the mining and
quarrying index, with a 0.4% rise, followed it. TurkStat
will release the next industrial production figures on Dec.
14, 2020.
December 2020

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NEWS
Digital Euro could spur major breakthrough towards
more liberal EU payments market, expert says
The recent talks about a possible digital version of euro have raised
discussions throughout the industry. According to Marius Galdikas,
CEO at ConnectPay, it could greatly liberalize the market in terms of
lessening barriers for market entry and present more opportunities for
accelerating its growth.
November 24, 2020. With the ever-increasing digitalization
transforming the modern world, the
European Central Bank (ECB) has raised the idea of
launching a digital euro, which would assume an electronic
form of currency accessible to citizens and companies
alike. According to Marius Galdikas, CEO at ConnectPay, it
seems like a high-potential bearing solution, which could
greatly liberalize the market, reduce entry barriers for new
companies, as well as drive further digitization.
The European Central Bank has been weighing the pros
and cons of the digital version of Euro for a while now.
The idea is based on an insight that while there is an array
of choices for retail payments, e.g. cash or payment
cards, the market lacks a unifying digital currency, which
could facilitate daily transactions, was easy to use, and
would provide cost-free access to a reliable means of payment
accepted throughout the entire eurozone.
“At the moment, digital euro seems to be bringing a plethora
of benefits to the table, without waiving the inherent
properties of cash,” said Marius Galdikas. “It appeals to
the consumers’ need to go cashless, largely influenced
by the coronavirus situation, and gives them more choices
about how to pay. By no means will it replace actual
banknotes—ECB emphasized this as well—but rather present
a supplementary-to-cash solution that corresponds
with the rapid levels of digitalization. It could contribute
to a stronger Eurozone’s stance in the global payments
market, too.”
December 2020

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Galdikas noted that while it offers quite a few benefits
for the everyday consumer, the digital euro could be a
game-changer for the fintech sector as well. According to
him, having a digitalized version of the currency could potentially
eliminate the need for middle-men. This would result
in fewer barriers for new ventures to enter the market.
“In order to gain access to the Eurozone, first it is necessary
to acquire a credit institution license. Only then it can
join TARGET2 – Eurozone’s settlement system, which processes
large-value euro payments in real-time. However,
such licenses are usually issued to FIs that focus on collecting
deposits or lending credit.”
“Consequently, it is much harder for up-and-coming fintechs
to acquire the same licenses, as they have a more
innovation-driven approach, hence, want to offer novel
products,” continued Galdikas. “This leads to dealing with
a fair amount of intricacies in order to ensure all-round
compliance in the banking sector. Digital euro could restructure
the current chain of authority and shape it to be
more strategic, streamlining bureaucratic procedures and
leaving fewer hoops to jump through.”
Inevitably, this would prep the industry to be more welcoming
towards greater innovation, as fewer barriers
would pave the way for new fintechs, looking to present
novel solutions.
Currently, the idea of the digital euro launch is in the analysis
stage. Over the next six months, the Frankfurt institution
will be carrying out a series of experiments exploring
risks and operational challenges, as well as undergoing a
three-month public consultation, launched mid-October.
Although currently the move to digital Euro launch is predicted
to happen over the next 2 to 4 years, the impact
it would have on the European Union payments market
makes it a highly anticipated solution.

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Home textiles
industry in Turkey
One of the main goals of Turkish Home
Textile Sector and Turkish Contract Business
Sector is to strengthen its success in both
traditional markets and in new markets
with its own brands. The positive and
strong relations with these global partners
that Turkey has been pursuing have also
been initiated between these countries’
industrialists and exporters.
December 2020

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One of the first countries coming to mind on
textiles in the entire world, Turkey succeeds
in being one of the brand countries in home
textile field. The Turkey’s success on a global scale is
mainly bases on a great number of details from A to Z
including quality wool and fabric, rich manufacturing
areas and techniques, advanced education opportunities
in the textile area, qualified labor force in quality
and quantity. Please check the whole text to discover
the intriguing details of exporting or importing in this
area and learn more.
Manuacturing
A major part of modern and traditional home textile
manufacturing facilities is located in the Western
Anatolia and Central Anatolia. Many details from raw
materials to manufacturing techniques, machinery, and
labor forces are 100% local. Our country does not confine
itself to the domestic market; it is regarded as one
of the powerful players of the home textile worldwide.
When domestic and international market shares are
added including the shuttle trade, the result amounts
to 13 billion dollars, which is quite a high amount. The

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manufacturing numbers of the Turkish home textile industry
per product are ranked as follows:
• Manufacturing of 2.3 billion dollars is performed including
domestic and international market shares in bathroom
textile products such as towels and bathrobes.
• The total number of domestic and international market
shares amounts to 2.6 billion dollars in bedding and
other bedroom textile products, similar to towels and
bathrobes.
• The total number of domestic and international market
shares exceeds 1.5 billion dollars in draperies and curtains.
• Blankets, tablecloths, and hand made textile products
get closer to a manufacturing share of 1.1 billion dollars
in total.
December 2020

• Import products constitute nearly 30% of
the 13-billion-dollar domestic and international
trade share
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According to official records, the home
textile industry, which employs more than
500.000 people in Turkey, also continues
manufacturing non-stop with over 3.000 facilities,
750 of which are medium and big
sized, in many provinces that are developed
in terms of population, industry, technology,
and transportation such as Istanbul, Izmir,
Bursa, Tekirdag, Denizlik, and Usak. For example:

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• The curtain manufacturing capacity alone reaches
300.000 tonnes in our country per year.
• The factory, which performs duvet cover manufacturing
with the highest capacity in Europe, is
located in Turkey.
• Turkey is among the 3 biggest suppliers in the
world in the towel and bathrobe group.
December 2020

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• Mainly including the towel, curtain, duvet
cover, blanket, and carpet export, Turkey
sends tens of products groups manufactured
in home textile field to European Union
countries, the United States of America,
and many other countries. The home textile
industry, which constitutes approximately
16% of the total export and is the most important
third industry for the country export
based on these values, is regarded as one of
the most effective players to meet the current
deficit.
December 2020

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EVENTS
Exports
Mainly including the towel, curtain, duvet cover, blanket,
and carpet export, Turkey sends tens of products
groups manufactured in home textile field to European
Union countries, the United States of America, and
many other countries. The home textile industry, which
constitutes approximately 16% of the total export and
is the most important third industry for the country export
based on these values, is regarded as one of the
most effective players to meet the current deficit.
December 2020

At the end of 2018, the total exports
of textile and clothing of
Turkey is recorded as 26,1 billion
USD. Total textile exports of
Turkey are 8,5 billion USD. Total
Home Textile exports of Turkey
are recorded as 2,7 billion USD.
Towels, bed sheets, curtain fabric,
bathrobes, the other furnishing articles,
curtains, interior blinds, curtain
and bed valances and upholstery
fabrics are the main export
articles.
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EVENTS
Today, Turkish Home Textile companies are intensively
exporting to countries such as the Germany,
USA, Bulgaria, France, United Kingdom, Italy, the
Netherlands, Poland, Iran, Spain and others; more than
190 countries and regions spanning every continent.
Towel and bathrobe types take the lead in the home
textile products being exported. Constituting 41% of
the home textile products, which are sent from Turkey
to abroad, towels and bathrobes make up nearly half
of the home textile export rate, which is followed by
beddings with the export rate of 25% and curtain models
with the share of 6%. The remaining part of 28%
is broken to similar amounts among the other home
textile products.
December 2020

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EVENTS
Online trade fair Heimtextil Russia.Digital
edition 2020 attracted more than 5 000
professionals
The online exhibition of interior fabrics, home textile and decoration
materials took place from 15 to 17 September 2020 for the first time in
Russia. Heimtextil Russia.Digital edition 2020 presented 96 exhibitors from
17 countries, 2 virtual conference halls, 98 online speakers, including those
of the exhibition’s partner – Espocada Trend Week’21, 3D Trend Zone from
participants of the UTIB, Turkish textile association.
Heimtextil Russia.Digital edition 2020 became a
platform for exchange of professional experience,
expertise, and ideas. Although the exhibition lasted
for 3 days, the organizers opened an access to the
virtual booths and records of the business program till 30
October 2020. Thereby, the buyers and designers got an
opportunity to attend virtual booths, find new business
contacts, as well as listen to recorded Russian and foreign
speakers during October.
Exhibition exposition
The virtual exposition presented 96 companies from 17
countries. 5,281 professionals attended the exhibition in
three days of the platform’s operation.
Companies from Russia, Italy, Belarus, Germany, India,
Canada, Portugal, Turkey, Uzbekistan, China, Azerbaijan,
Belgium, Austria, Iran, Netherlands, Tajikistan and Thailand
presented their virtual booths, including: Morbern Europe,
December 2020

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EVENTS
ZORLUTEKS, Lasa Home, Keshardeo Combines, Duvetta,
Amalia Home Collection, Berteks, KT Exclusive, Issimo
Home, Dr.Deco, Lenta, etc.
Leaders of the Russian market of interior fabrics, home
textile, paints, wallpapers and setting for household became
a part of virtual format; the participants included:
Nordtex, Treartex, TDL Textile, Espocada, Decaro,
Casablanca, Empire Decor, Tikkurila, Uyut, S Textile, and
many more.
One of the official partners of the exhibition was Manders,
a supplier of English paints Farrow&Ball, Sanderson and
Zoffany, molding assemblies and curtain rods Orac Décor,
French premium-class paints Argile, environmentally safe
paints and wall papers Little Greene, collections of textile,
wall papers, Designers Guild home accessories, and other
globally known brands of premium segment.
A longstanding exhibition partner and organizer of the
Turkish pavilion – Uludag Textile Exporters Association
(UTIB) – presented 3D Trend Zone 360° was specifically
created for Heimtextil Russia.Digital 2020! The exposition
focused on products of 19 companies – leaders of the
industry, which can be seen in detail on 3D mode. The
exposition will operate round the year.
Maxidom, Raiffeisenbank, etc. discussed the future of the
Russian retail market and marketplaces in the post-pandemic
period. INFOLine analytical agency was a co-organizer
of the Forum. Since in 2021, a Federal Law on
labelling of household, bath and kitchen linens will come
into force of no less importance was the topic of textile
articles labelling, which was discussed during the round
table. Co-organizer and partner of the roundtable became
a business Logistics ICC.
In the Design Space hall, trend designers from the
Netherlands, Denmark, France, and Italy took the floor.
Russian speakers shared expertise in sales, decorative
products promotion, and technologies.
The official partner of the exhibition, Espocada Trend
Week’21, had 3 intensive days of speeches from world
experts of the textile market.
In 2021, the exhibition will take place in traditional form
in Expocentre, International Exhibition Center from 14 to
16 of September.
Business Program
The Business program of the exhibition was held in a hybrid
form. Speakers took the floor in specially equipped
studio; broadcasting was organized from 2 thematic halls:
Business Space and Design Space. In 48 hours of broadcasting,
the speakers discussed the most acute issues of
the Russian consumer and interior decoration industry.
Representatives from Leroy Merlin, Ozon, Yandex.Market,
December 2020

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PROFILE
HTE
Cosy,
Cosier,
Cosiest
Introducing The FBC Bedspread Class of
Winter 2020.
The Peachskin
Voted the best luxury bedspread by The
Independent.
This super soft Peachskin Quilted Bedspread
in French Grey will instantly transform a bedroom
to boutique hotel status.
December 2020

Soft & Cosy
We simply cannot pick between the Cosy Wide Knit
in Ivory or Pink…
Ivory or pink?!
53
They’re both simply stunning.
Floral Finishes
Sapphire, cobalt and indigo merge with yellow, orange,
greens and pinks to form charming prints that
will comfort and cosify any bedroom.
Luxe Leopard
The recent vogue for animal print couture has transferred
seamlessly to interiors. Our leopard throws are
irresistible. Wrap up, hunker down, and be glamorous!

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PROFILE
Art Nouveau
Inspired Wallpapers
by Austrian artist,
Nici Gabriel
Creators of made-to-measure wallpaper murals, Wallsauce.com is
proud to announce its latest collection of Art Nouveau designs by Nici
Gabriel.
Discovered in its competition to find the next ‘designer wallpaper collection’,
Austrian-born Nici is a self-taught surface pattern designer
who rediscovered her love for creativeness after having her children.
Having endured a career as an IT project manager, Nici founded her art
label after realising creativity was her passion.
Inspired by her childhood in Austria, Nici’s collection for Wallsauce.
com captures some of the finer details of the Austrian countryside
translated into her love of the Art Nouveau period. She says:
“Having lived in Austria for many years, it was a natural choice for me
to focus on Art Nouveau. One of my wallpaper designs is a geometric,
floral pattern with bows and loops on some marigolds and a reflected
magic flower. The other is inspired by some clovers and mallows in my
natural garden. Scrolls and bows give it the necessary elegant feeling
of Art Nouveau.”
Beautifully decorated in mellow blues, ochre and neutral tones,
Wallsauce.com saw a huge gap in their market for Nici’s Art Nouveau
designs.
With all things vintage also being predicted as a huge interior trend
in 2021, these modern 20th century-inspired designs can also offer a
unique and somewhat colourful fulfilment for the trend.
December 2020

57

60
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“Women Export Talks” Started with the Theme
of “How Did We Start Exporting, How Did We
Succeed?”
Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) continues to work to ensure that women play
a more role in the business world and to encourage women entrepreneurs to
export, led by TIM Women Council. In this context, TIM started the “Women
Export Talks” webinar series that successful businesswomen will share with the
participants how they started exporting and their recommendations for the business
world. The first seminar was held with the title of “How did we start exporting,
how did we succeed?” and with the participation of TIM Women Council Deputy
Chairwoman Adalet Inanç and Gündüz Group Executive Deputy Chairwoman
Ruken Mızraklı as speakers.
Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), the only umbrella
organization for exports in Türkiye with 61 exporters’
associations, 27 sectors, and 95,000 exporters,
has started the “Women Export Talks” webinar series
to encourage women entrepreneurs to export. The first
seminar was held with the name of “How did we start and
how did we get it in export?” and with the participation of
TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, TİM Women Council Deputy
Chairwoman Adalet İnanç and Gündüz Group Executive
Deputy Chairwoman Ruken Mızraklı, was published live
in TİM’s corporate internet address and social media accounts.
TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, who gave the opening speech,
said, “We were the pioneers of Virtual Trade Delegations,
Virtual Fairs, Virtual Award Ceremonies during the pandemic
period. Our exporters showed great interest in the
“TİM Export Talks” meetings with the participation of our
Ambassadors with the USA, China, EU, and Netherlands.
Now we are having online meetings with our exporting
women under the name “TİM Women Export Talks”. Our
Webinar series will be the subject of 9 committees in the
first place. The chairman of each of our committees will
meet and evaluate their own subject with a moderator
and a female exporter who successful in the field. We will
express the work of our TİM Women Council, the achievements
of our female entrepreneurs in exports, and the
support given. In addition, we will implement virtual delegations
including NGOs, TİM Women Council and trade
consultants formed by women entrepreneurs of that country
on the part of the target countries to be determined.”
Adalet İnanç,
Deputy Chairwoman of the TİM Women Council
THE PROJECT IS ALSO READY FOR UNIVERSITY
STUDENTS
Talking about another project of TİM, İsmail Gülle said,
“We plan to organize webinars for our schooled girls in
universities. Our council members are already giving
speeches at universities. We plan to hold these speech-
December 2020

es of our members as TİM Women Council. Our goal is
to inform our students correctly and to include them in
our activities. Our goal is to raise awareness in our women
entrepreneurs, to make more use of the support and
incentives offered, and to make them take bolder steps
in exports.” Gülle spoke as “Trade diplomacy activities
have become our routine on virtual platforms. As of this
month, we have completed our Virtual Trade Delegations
in 11 countries. Among these delegations, we showed
great importance to the first virtual trade delegation for
our exporters of the name we carried out with our women’s
company. We are also pleased that more than 100
companies participating in our delegation have signed important
agreements with close to 200 bilateral business
interviews.”
“OUR GOAL IS TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR FEMALE
EXPORTERS”
Ruken Mızraklı,
Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of
Directors of Gündüz Group
61
Adalet İnanç, Deputy Chairwoman of the TİM Women
Council, said: “The place of our women in the business
world cannot be underestimated compared to the scales
of the outside world. However, it is unfortunately not at
the desired level at decision-making points in management
mechanisms. The situation in education, health, and
politics are no different. Our goal is to be able to open
their way by supporting our women, to raise awareness,
and to find technology-supported solutions. Another important
factor is to do seminars and training studies in the
obstacles encountered by environmental factors. Other
issues we care about are providing appropriate support
for financial needs with financial institutions under the
conditions of the day, and improving the ability of women
to do business on the international platform by discriminating
positively if necessary in the process until the equal
opportunity is ensured by collaborating with universities
for the obstacles encountered in education. Women have
significant potential in the world of consumption, reaching
$4 trillion a year. Why shouldn’t women with such significant
potential play a more role in the production? Why
should we, as women of the country, not increase our
level of education to compete in the international market
with technological support? Why should we not contribute
more to the country’s economy by producing high
value-added products? After all, we can create our brands
instead of contract manufacturing to the world. We have
all the necessary materials for this. There is water, there is
flour, and there is sugar. Why not make halwa?”
“PANDEMIC CHANGED THE POINTS OF VIEW”
Ruken Mızraklı, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of
Directors of Gündüz Group, said: “I think the two issues
we need to focus on the most are: Women’s Employment
and education. We must take the Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics - we call STEM - out of the
guidance of boys, should encourage our girls to receive
education in this direction and to work in these areas after
graduation. Pandemic changed people’s perspective. The
right guide is science, and the other is intelligence and
education. We are talking about the importance of AI. 80
percent of the people who wrote the algorithms that developed
AI are men. So, in the future, we are going to come
up with algorithms where the female perspective is in no
way involved. According to the 2018 survey in Türkiye,
245,000 people work in technology and only 10 percent
are women. Only 13 percent of the world’s patent holders
are women. Now we see that in the reality of pandemic,
especially women and lower socio-economic levels are affecting
more negatively. Therefore, I believe that positive
discrimination against women should be supported even
more than normal, especially in this delicate process.
Women need to demand to be in decision-making mechanisms
in every industry. In production, industry, politics,
art, education, financing, every media that concerns
people. If we want to be among the top 10 economies
in the world, we have to solve the women’s employment
problem permanently because it is not possible for any
country that cannot effectively include half its population
in employment to developing adequately.”

66
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PROFILE
The Design
Archives
launches
The New
SHALA
Collection
The three prints in the SHALA collection are taken from
original historic designs in the Design Archive collection.
We wanted to reintroduce these classic prints and bring
them back to life by redeveloping the colors and pattern
and adding a more contemporary twist for today’s interiors.
The inspiration behind naming the collection SHALA derives
from ancient mythology. Shala is the Sanskrit name
of the ancient Sumerian goddess of grain, and each design
incorporates a natural world element such as a head of
grain in ALBERTINA, rich botanical fruit motifs in EXOTIC
FRUITS, and an intricate Indian flower pattern in SHALA.
These symbols combine to reflect the importance of agriculture
and the belief that an abundant harvest was an
act of compassion from the deities - so a fitting name for
an eclectic collection which celebrates the natural world
at this time of uncertainty.
December 2020

67

70 HTE
EVENTS
TİM, with the Slogan “Republic is Our
Tradition Export is Our Future” Celebrates
Republic Day
The film of Turkish Exporters Assembly
celebrating the 29th of October Republic
Day was released with the slogan of
“Republic is Our Tradition Export is
our future”. TIM Chairman Ismail
Gülle, in October 29 message “Export is
our responsibility to our fallen martyrs
for this land. Export is our debt to the
children of those who put stone on stone
for the Republic and gave their lives for
this cause. Export is our honor in the
great struggle we are giving today, our
honor under the shadow of our glorious
flag” he said.
Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) has prepared a
special film on the occasion of the 97th anniversary
of the founding of our Republic. The film tells that
our Anatolian motifs and strong tradition should be transported
to the world by exports, and brings to the screen
the history and cultural heritage of Anatolia, as well as the
early years of the Republic and the images of the present.
The famous singer Ferhat Göçer interprets the song in the
film which was released with the slogan of “Republic is
Our Tradition Export is our Future”.
We are Building Türkiye, Which is Rising with
Exports
Saying that “On the road opened by Gazi Mustafa Kemal
Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, with the same
vision and belief on the first day, we continue on the
road,” Gülle followed, “Our export family accepted and
fulfilled whatever our nation and state expected from us
as a duty. Under the leadership of our President Recep
Tayyip Erdoğan, we broke records on record in the 21st
century, despite the difficulties. This ancient civilization,
which raised Seyit Corporal in Çanakkale, Nene Hatun
in Erzurum, Sütçü İmam in Maraş and Hasan Tahsin in
İzmir, has also established the foundations of a cultural
and trade tradition rooted in the efforts of the nameless
heroes he has cultivated in every geography. On this solid
foundation, we are building “Türkiye Rising with Exports”.
Our exporter, who waves our flag around the world and
allows us to walk confidently to the goals of the centenary
of our Republic, works with his full power for economic
independence of our country. With new records,
we will advance to high targets and continue to produce,
to grow, and to export for the welfare of each citizen of
the Republic of Türkiye. On behalf of our export family, I
promise you that, with ever-increasing pride and resolve,
our love will never end.
December 2020

71
October 29 Film
As Turkish Exporters Assembly, expressed that they have
another excitement, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle said “The
film is carrying with the slogan of ‘Republic is our Tradition
Export is our Future”. Our valuable artist Ferhat Göçer
interpreted the song and voice-over we set up with the
October 29 film ‘Republic is our Tradition Export is our
Future’ slogan carries.
In the film, we wanted to share with you that we proudly
carry our flag and tradition all over the world shoulder to
shoulder, with love, love, labor, sweat. Because we believe
that we are not going to be able to do anything about
it. “Our strong tradition, strong exports, strong exports
also carry Strong Türkiye into the future,” he said. In the
film, as the export family, we wanted to show that to share
we carry our flag and tradition shoulder to shoulder, with
love, labor, sweat, and pride around the world. Because
we believe that “Our strong tradition carries the strong exports
into the future and also strong exports carry strong
Türkiye into the future.” he said.
Culture Exports Are Next
Mentioned current projects İsmail Gülle, “One of our goals
is to be able to export our culture, and we will develop
projects related to them.” he said. İsmail Gülle, “The people
of this country are doing beautiful things that touch
the hearts. We know that we are all one, we are all one,
we are all together, we are all worth something, we are all
succeeding together. The export also is the result of success
together like the struggle of that day. Together with
our artists, we will prepare projects and export not only
our products but also our culture and art. Together with
also Ferhat Göçer, we will have a project that we will show
our folk song to the world.” he said.

72
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EVENTS
Göçer: “We Share the Exporter’s Love of Service
and Excitement with the Country”
Stating that he was proud to take part in the project, artist
Ferhat Göçer said: “We have created a project that our
exporters share their love, and service excitement with
the whole country. Our president gave the direction with
his excitement to us from the beginning of the project.
While our security forces are fighting with their sacrifice,
our medical personnel continue to struggle in hospitals
for this country during the pandemic period. Our exporters
are also competing on another front - on the economic
front - for our country. The economic struggle is just as important
as health and safety, so I thank you very much. By
having the sweat and labor of the worker, the producer,
you add value to its value. Your presence is very valuable
in order for our country to be one of the most important
trade and export centers of the world and to carry our tradition
into the future and to be a light for our future with
hope. In this project, I have made an effort to convey your
enthusiasm to our country by add emotion to your efforts.
In the future, I hope to be a part of our cultural exports in
your export struggle. I look forward to the days when we
can export our culture to the world like our term and I am
preparing for it. I would like to thank everyone who has
contributed to the implementation of the project again.”
Foreign Trade Surplus Türkiye Continues with Its
Goal
İsmail Gülle sent a message of celebration on October
29 to exporters, using the following phrases; “National
Holidays are important days that we celebrate together as
the state and the nation, offer our gratitude to the heroes
to which we owe our existence, and rivet our unity and togetherness.
Our victories of 23 April, 19 May, 30 August,
and ultimately 29 October; political, economic, and social
victories are important milestones. October 29th, the
day of the founding of our Republic, that our Liberation
Struggle, which began 100 years ago, was almost crowned,
can also be described as the day of the beginning of the
struggle for economic independence. Within this framework,
we are moving forward today as we did yesterday
on the path opened by The Great Leader Mustafa Kemal
ATATÜRK, who founded our first exporting union. We will
continue with the same power and will tomorrow in the
goal of “Türkiye Giving Foreign Trade Surplus”. Under the
leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN,
even under the difficult circumstances, we are in in the
21st century, our export family set a record on record.
Since the first day of the establishment of our Republic,
the performance of our exporters for the goal of reaching
and exceeding the level of civilization will be a harbinger
of our future successes. In the 97th year of our Republic,
which allows us to look forward to the future with the per
will and excitement of the first day, I congratulate our
Republic Day of October 29th with the sincerest feelings.
December 2020

76
HTE
EVENTS
Peshtemal,
a special
Turkish
towel
Turkey is known for producing
some of the highest quality
cotton products in the world
and the peshtemal towels are as
absorbent as traditional towels
but take up less room and dry
very quickly
Turkish peshtemal towels are made from Turkish
Cotton, a premium cotton that has extra-long fibers.
Using longer fiber cotton means fewer joins,
which results in stronger and smoother cotton threads.
Because of this unique material, Turkish towels are
known to become even softer, fluffier, and more absorbent
with successive washings.
Absorptive enough to to be used as a towel, Peshtemal
towels are not your average terry cloth. A peshtemal is
also called a fouta or hamman towel. Peshtemals are
large, flat and velvety soft. Inspired by the bath towels
used in legendary Turkish spas, these tightly woven creations
are extremely strong and durable, and feature a
stylish handcrafted fringe that makes them chic as well
as practical.
Because peshtemal towels are flat-woven, they’re extremely
light and take up very little space, making them
the perfect travel companion. Peshtemals are the ideal
take-along for your next vacation, you can roll them up
and they pack beautifully.
December 2020

77

78
HTE
EVENTS
December 2020

79
They’re also wonderfully versatile. Of course,
they make fabulous bathroom towels. But
you can just as easily wear your peshtemal
as a poolside or beachside wrap. They can
be worn around the body like a sarong, for
a chic cover-up. It’s light and airy and feels
great against your skin!
Peshtemal towels also look fabulous draped
over the shoulders on a cool summer evening.
And they double up nicely as home
textiles like table runners, sofa throws and
even impromptu picnic blankets.
They’re luxurious, absorbent and quick drying,
and maintain their shape and texture
beautifully, even after several washings. The
soft cotton is lightweight and super absorbent,
making them dry much more quickly
than a traditional cotton terry towel. They
often come in bright colors as well as more
muted tones, and are extremely versatile for
bath and beach, even as a scarf, sarong, or
a summer throw.
They make the perfect pool towel but you
can also use them as scarfs, wraps, or even
as tablecloths.