Furniture exports from the Aegean region reach USD 120 million in 2017
Furniture industry which is one of the few sectors with trade surplus in Turkey has shown a sifnificant jump in exports in recent years, reaching a total of USD 120 million in 2017. Based on data provided by EIB (Aegean Exporters Association), furniture exporters in the Aegean region realized foreign sales of furniture to 130 countries in 2017, Germany ranking top of the list with USD 13 million.
According to the statement made by Aegean Furniture Paper and Forest Products Exporters Union the association continues its work to increase furniture exports which give priority to original designs with high added value.
In fact, the association realized a project called DESIGNIZMIR in 2016, to bring together furniture brands in the Aegean region, create a corporate identity and awareness and promote and increase exports of innovative, ergonomic, functional, value-added competitive items produced in Izmir region with an appeal to medium and over-medium income groups.
In order to make İzmir’s unique designs prominent in the furniture sector the association is currently working to collaborate with YASAR UNIVERSITY which has a Furniture Design and Application Center. The association targets to increase the exports of value-added products by giving good examples of university-industry collaboration.
