Istanbul kitchenware fair to begin Thursday

ISTANBUL

The International Zuchex Home and Kitchenwares Fair, which will be organized in Istanbul, is expected to generate a business volume of $1.5 billion.

The 30th Zuchex, starting on Thursday, will be attended by 600 companies and 32,000 visitors, according to a press release issued by the Turkish Houseware Association (Zucder).

Mesut Oksuz -- the head of the Zucder, which represents almost 90% of participant companies -- said the country's houseware sector made $4.7 billion of export last year and targeted 5.4 billion for 2019.

The sector, which posts trade surplus every year, raised its exports by 85% during the last decade by selling goods to 206 countries, Oksuz noted.

"Most of our exports are industrial kitchenware and small home appliances. We made half of our exports to European countries," he said.

"We now focus on the Middle East countries, we can raise our exports by 20%," he added.

Ismail Gulle, the head of Turkish Exporters Assembly, and officials from the Turkey's Economy Ministry are expected to attend the fair.

Companies will introduce several types of products such as kitchenware, home appliances, home textile, porcelain and ceramic goods, and plastic, steel and glassware during the four-day event.