Türkiye's furniture industry is seeking a place among the world's top ten exporters, emphasising innovation and design to boost its global presence. The 16th National Furniture Design Competition, held in Ankara on September 24, highlights this ambition, with over 1,000 entries competing across categories including home, office, kitchen-bathroom, and smart furniture. Participants range from primary school students to professional designers.
© Luciano Mortula | Dreamstime
According to the Central Anatolian Furniture, Paper, and Forestry Products Exporters' Association (OMKO), winners will share a total prize pool of ₺977,500, with state-backed opportunities to study abroad in countries such as Italy and the United Kingdom. Around 300 Turkish designers have previously benefited from international training through this initiative.
OMKO Chairman Tahsin Ata stated that Türkiye has increased its share of global furniture exports from 0.3% to 2% over the past decade, supported by a robust production infrastructure. He stressed that future growth relies on original design and brand development. Türkiye's furniture sector employs more than 300,000 people and produces over $1 billion worth of goods monthly.
The competition promotes the "Design for Export" vision, encouraging innovation in ergonomics, functionality, and environmentally friendly materials. Ata highlighted that expansion into Asia and the Americas is crucial for raising Türkiye's global market share in the $300 billion international furniture industry.
Source: www.turkiyetoday.com
