In the panel discussion named ‘The Future of the Northern Markets’ that took place within the framework of the 12th International Leather Days Fair events, the future of Turkish leather sector was debated. The economic developments in the Northern countries, which are among the most important markets of Turkish leather producers, and their reflections on Turkiye were taken up. The lecturers related that Turkish firms will strengthen their partnerships in the changing Northern markets. In the panel discussion chaired by IDMIB Deputy Chairman Ismail Boy, Russia Commercial Attaché Anatoly Karaev, Mosleather-Mosshoes Fair Executive Nazim Mustafaev, Chairman of the Russian-Turkish Businessmen Association Ali Ihsan Akiskalioglu, DSD Chairman Seyit Ali Gunduz, President of the Ukrainian Leather and Shoes Union Alexandre Lissitsa participated as lecturers. The IDMIB Deputy Chairman Ismail Boy, making the inaugural speech, first referred to the history of the Northern markets. Boy, saying that the economic crisis experienced in Russia in 1998 mostly affected the leather sector in Turkiye, expressed that significant changes have taken place in Russia with Putin’s coming to power.
Russia Commercial Attaché Anatoly Karaev delivered the first speech in the panel discussion. Stating that Turkish leather firms have improved their image in Russia with brand works, Karaev expressed that the firms establishing partnerships with Russians also have strengthened their image in the same way.
After Karaev, Chairman of the Russian-Turkish Businessmen Association Ali Ihsan Akiskalioglu said that there are producers that started with luggage trade and then established facilities in Russia. ‘The market in Russia is enlarging, but our share is decreasing. When we searched the reason behind this, we see that we couldn’t become localised’ said Akiskalioglu.
Panel discussion participator, President of the Ukrainian Leather and Shoes Union Alexandre Lissitsa said that there was a very good cooperation between Ukraine and Turkish companies.
Panel discussion participator DSD Chairman Seyit Ali Gunduz said that Turkiye has become one of the important crossroads of the world trade after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
The last lecturer of the panel discussion Mosleather-Mosshoes Fair Executive Nazim Mustafaev said that great economic changes have taken place in Russia and the growth rate has reached 3.9%.
