Turkish leather producers are keenly following the fortunes of their country’s textile industry after the dramatic and tragic events in New York City on 11th September. In the grip of low consumer spending, particularly on luxury items, as well as the general economic downturn, many local textile firms are reporting increased sales and orders. Most of these have been coming from firms who had placed orders with Pakistan-based producers. Customers now fear delivery problems and disruption of the supply chain from this unstable part of the globe and they are turning to Türkiye as a viable alternative.

A spokesperson for the Turkish Leather Garment Manufacturers’ Association in Istanbul said: "If it can happen in the textile industry, then the leather industry could also be poised to pick up orders, given Pakistan’s prominence in this sector." The Turkish textile sector was once a stellar export performer with sales of over $10 billion, close to half of total exports.