Tripoli’s second Modtexstyle fair

By Nadia El-Ahmar.

Tripoli, 7 February 2013:

Tripoli’s second Modtexstyle  fair, at the Tripoli International Fairground, showcased fashion, textiles, leather and footwear.

The fair, organised by Senexpo, gave both local and international businesses the chance to take advantage of lucrative fashion opportunities. With fashion here in high demand, the Libyan market has great potential. Almost 80 percent of the companies represented at Modtexstyle were Turkish, exhibiting along with Libyan and other North African firms.

Gani Istanbul, a Turkish company focussing on clothing for special occasions, has a large footprint in North Africa. In eight years of business, this was only their second time in Libya, although they attend exhibitions across across the region, most recently in Algeria.

It was showing its new collection and hoping for great success. It sees strong demand for seasonal collections. Ahmet Gani Ak, owner of Gani Istanbul said: “It is a lot easier doing business in Libya than in Europe.”

Another Turkish company, Miray Esarp, has been making scarves and shawls since 1978, targeting the MENA market. This was its first time exhibiting in Libya. Owner Erkan Geyik was optimistic about the Libyan market.

Istanbul-based Rodrigo manufactures denim clothing for men and women. With over 170 retail outlets in Turkey, it is now looking to expand into the North African market.

Export manager Nuray Malasi told the Libya Herald: “It is our first time in Libya, but I believe the Libyan economy will see improvements in the near future.” She added: “Turkey has a good relationship with Libya, so we hope to find distributors and customers in order to enter this market.”

Libya is one of Turkey’s top international customers. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, last year Turkish imports to Libya almost tripled, to $2.1 billion.