Organized in cooperation with the Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association (IHIB) and the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Association (GAHIB) and hosted by TÜYAP, ICFE 2026 International Carpet and Flooring Expo has opened its doors at the Istanbul Expo Center. Bringing together leading manufacturers in the carpet industry from Türkiye and around the world, the fair has once again become one of the most important global meeting points of the sector. Emphasizing that ICFE has achieved remarkable success in a very short period of time, IHIB Chairman Ahmet Hayri Diler stated, “ICFE has now become the world’s most important carpet fair. Today, the heart of the global carpet trade beats in Türkiye.”
This year, ICFE 2026 is being held between 6–9 January across 11 halls, with 500 companies from 21 countries participating. Of these, 150 are international companies, highlighting the fair’s strong global profile. By bringing together manufacturers and buyers operating in the fields of carpets and floor coverings under one roof, ICFE 2026 aims to pave the way for new business partnerships and commercial opportunities. The fair also attracted high-level protocol participation. The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Fatma Şahin, and Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly Mustafa Gültepe. The protocol members toured the fairground, visited exhibitors’ stands, and met sector representatives to share their assessments regarding the carpet and flooring industry.
“WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY”
Highlighting that they will continue to support the sector, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat said, “While our textile and ready‑to‑wear industry completed 2025 with an export value of 31 billion dollars, our carpet exports have approached 3 billion dollars. As the Ministry of Trade, we will continue to explore markets all around the world and increase exports from our country.”
Underlining that exports mean economic growth and production as well as employment, Bolat added, “In December, with 26.4 billion dollars, we broke the record of the 102‑year history of our Republic. In total, we achieved 273.4 billion dollars in goods exports. In services, according to our estimates, we will exceed 123 billion dollars. Thus, we will reach 396.5 billion dollars in total. This means that Türkiye has now risen to the league of countries with approximately 400 billion dollars in exports. We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to our family of 160,000 exporters and will continue to stand by them at all times.”
“THE HEART OF THE GLOBAL CARPET TRADE BEATS IN TÜRKİYE”
Speaking at the gala dinner held within the scope of the fair, IHIB Chairman Ahmet Hayri Diler drew attention to the success ICFE has achieved in a short period of time. Diler said, “We have achieved incredible success in a very short time. After its first two editions exceeded our expectations in terms of efficiency, ICFE has now become the world’s most important carpet fair. Today, the heart of the global carpet trade beats in Türkiye.”
Emphasizing that Türkiye is not only a carpet‑producing country but also one that leads the sector, Diler continued, “We do not merely produce; we also set global trends and provide vision for the industry. Türkiye is truly a carpet country and has proven this strength to the entire world.”
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION IS GROWING
Stating that the scale of the fair has further expanded this year, Diler said, “We are hosting 500 companies from 21 different countries across 11 halls. The fact that 150 of our exhibitors are international companies is the clearest indication that ICFE has become an international attraction center. This picture clearly shows the global character of our fair and its appeal. With our trend areas and innovative perspective, we are the ones shaping the sector’s vision.”
Drawing attention to the strong cooperation and dedicated effort behind ICFE 2026, Ahmet Hayri Diler emphasized the great contribution of industry representatives to the fair’s success and said, “This success is no coincidence. Thanks to our companies that offer competitive, high‑quality, and value‑added products, we have reached this point today. The strength of our companies is the strength of Türkiye.”
