The furniture sector continues to expand into foreign markets without slowing down. The Mediterranean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters' Association (AKAMİB) organized an international marketing activity in London, the capital of England, between May 20-23, 2025, within the scope of the 'Kayseri Furniture and Furniture Subsidiary Industry URGE II Project'. In the event held within the scope of the project supported by the Ministry of Trade, Turkish furniture companies came together with British buyers in B2B matching meetings.
During the event organized with the participation of 13 project stakeholder companies, market visits and promotional activities were also carried out simultaneously. UK Trade Counselor Abdurrahman Deniz also attended the events, where one of London's prestigious events, London Design Week, was also visited. It is expected that the marketing activity carried out in the UK will strengthen the overseas expansion of companies in the region, contribute to sustainable export growth and increase the awareness of the Turkish furniture sector in the global market.
“We make our companies visible on a global scale”
Evaluating the event, AKAMİB President Onur Kılıçer said, “Our furniture sector has the capacity to compete in world markets with its high design power and quality production. The London visit we carried out within the scope of our URGE project is of great importance in terms of increasing the export competencies of our companies and establishing sustainable trade relations in a strategic market like the UK. With such activities, we both make our companies more visible on a global scale and support regional development. As our union, we will continue our work to increase the international success of our members and contribute to their evaluation of new market opportunities.”
The UK is a strategic target market
The United Kingdom, the world’s fifth largest and Europe’s second largest economy, ranks first among potential target countries in the Kayseri Furniture Cluster’s “Needs Analysis Report”. Factors such as market size, geographical proximity, ease of trade, customs advantages and reliability make the United Kingdom an attractive market for Turkish exporters. In addition, the Turkey-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement signed on December 29, 2020 also offers significant opportunities for companies.
Strong contribution to regional exports
According to 2024 export data, Türkiye's total exports increased by 2,1 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 226,1 billion dollars. The TR72 region, defined as the Kayseri, Sivas and Yozgat provinces, as well as the Kırşehir, Niğde and Nevşehir provinces, contributed 1,6 percent to Türkiye's exports. Among these provinces, Kayseri was clearly ahead with an export volume of approximately 3 billion dollars.
