AYSAF Generates $1.5 Billion in Trade Volume

The 58th International Shoe Component Industry Fair (AYSAF) held at CNR EXPO Yeşilköy this year concluded with a record number of foreign visitors. CNR Holding General Coordinator Cem Şenel stated that the fair was visited by 12,022 people, of which 3,310 were foreign visitors. AYSAD Chairman Ömer Kadir Arpacı said, "We are proud to have organized the largest component industry fair of all time in our country at AYSAF, once again hosting the highest number of foreign visitors. Based on preliminary findings, we estimate that direct and indirect exports totaling USD 500 million and a trade volume of USD 1.5 billion were achieved at AYSAF Fair." The "AYSAF International Shoe Component Industry Fair," held for the 58th time at CNR EXPO Yeşilköy, once again proved its weight in the global market. This year, the fair was organized in an area of 60,000 square meters, the largest in its history. During the four-day fair, following the square meter record, a new record was set in the number of foreign visitors. The fair hosted 3,310 foreign visitors and 8,712 domestic sector professionals. "Component Industry Used to Enter Countries Where Finished Shoes Cannot Be Exported" Shoe Component Manufacturers Association (AYSAD) Chairman Ömer Kadir Arpacı, emphasizing that the shoe component industry sector, which increases its quality and capacity day by day, continues its momentum through the fair, continued his remarks as follows: "As the shoe component industry sector, we have made important contributions to this economic struggle through AYSAF Fair. At our fair, we held bilateral meetings with institutions and organizations equivalent to our association from 12 countries, including Egypt, Iran, India, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan. As a result of these meetings, the aforementioned institutions and organizations indicated that they are requesting materials and training from us. The fact that these requests have started coming from countries where we cannot export finished shoes is proof that we have found a new avenue. In our geographic region, we have become the leader in the component industry sector as well as in the shoe sector. We are proud to have organized the largest component industry fair of all time in our country at AYSAF, while once again hosting the highest number of foreign visitors. Based on preliminary findings at AYSAF Fair, we estimate that direct and indirect exports totaling USD 500 million and a trade volume of USD 1.5 billion were achieved. Now, the goal is to achieve our 2023 target of USD 3 billion in exports, backed by the support provided by the Ministry of Economy." Over 12,000 Domestic and Foreign Visitors CNR Holding General Coordinator Cem Şenel, mentioning that the fair was organized with the participation of 450 companies that shape the shoe component industry sector, said, "At our fair, which reached its largest square meter in history, we also set an important record in visitor numbers. This year, our fair was visited by 12,022 domestic and foreign sector professionals, of which 3,310 were foreign, coming from Iran, Ukraine, Egypt, Russia, Algeria, Italy, Tunisia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and Lebanon." Şenel noted that autumn-winter fashion and trends for the coming year are determined in the shoe component industry, and stated that over 1,000 shoe manufacturing companies from all over Turkey procure their supplies from AYSAF.