During our visit to the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Association (GAHIB) to provide information about GTM 2027, GAHIB President Zeynel Abidin Kaplan stated:
"I believe the decision to organize the Gaziantep Textile Machinery Exhibition is the right one. I am pleased that such a significant organization is being held in our city."
During the meeting, President Kaplan received detailed information about the exhibition, participating companies, and the exhibition hall layout plans.
Commenting on the organization, Kaplan added:
"We will continue working for our country and our city, and we will remain united for success. Since 2008, we have been actively involved in exhibition activities and have contributed to the development of many successful trade fair organizations.
We know how important trade fairs are and how much effort they require. We will provide the necessary support to ensure the success of GTM 2027. In particular, extensive visitor promotion activities should be carried out in the Middle East region to further strengthen the exhibition's international impact."
A Closer Look at the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Association (GAHIB)
Established in 2009, the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Association (GAHIB) has approximately 1,300 member companies. It is one of only two carpet exporters’ associations in Türkiye and serves as the coordinating association for the Turkish carpet industry while also acting as the secretariat of the Carpet Sector Board.
The association's members export machine-made carpets, tufted carpets, handmade carpets, and rugs. Among these product groups, machine-made carpets account for the largest share of exports.
In this respect, the machine-made carpet industry represented by GAHIB is one of the most important sectors of Gaziantep's economy. Approximately 200 manufacturing companies operating with more than 1,500 carpet weaving machines produce nearly 90% of Türkiye’s machine-made carpet exports, reaching an annual production volume of approximately 600 million square meters.
The sector is also a major source of employment, providing jobs for approximately 65,000 people directly and more than 200,000 indirectly.
Export Performance
Türkiye's carpet exports reached USD 2.867 billion in 2024.
The top five export destinations for Turkish carpets were:
• United States
• Saudi Arabia
• Iraq
• United Kingdom
• Germany
During the last 12-month export period, Türkiye exported carpets to 180 countries worldwide.
GAHIB accounted for 67.9% of Türkiye’s total carpet exports.
Of GAHIB’s total carpet exports in 2024:
• 86.2% consisted of machine-made carpets
• 12.7% consisted of tufted carpets
• The remaining share consisted of handmade carpets and rugs
Over the last 12 months, member companies of the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Association exported products to 143 countries worldwide.