ISTANBUL, Turkey — The 2017 version of Evteks May 16/20 saw aisles crowded with visitors but where they came from represented a marked change from previous Turkish exhibitions. There was a great influx of visitors from the Middle East including Iran and Iraq and also Russia. More importantly, there were more visitors from India than ever before in the form of Indian wholesalers looking for Turkish lines for the domestic India market. There were few if any Americans or Europeans at Evteks this year with Proposte just in the rear view mirror of Evteks (May 3/4) held just a few weeks before. This may change next year if the show organizers are able to hold Evteks before Proposte. “Indian suppliers are bypassing local wholesalers now and selling direct to the retailers,” said one wholesaler who did not want to be identified for fear of recrimination. Warwick Fabrics in Australia is expected to rollout a warehouse for distribution of its lines to the domestic market in India, it was learned. An announcement to this effect was made in late June. No doubt, this will take advantage of the increasing demand for imported goods in the Indian market. “There are 250 mills in Turkey capable of delivering goods to India and anywhere else,” says Ahmet Sapmaz, Sourcing Director for Valley Forge Fabrics, Pompano Beach, FL. He was one of the few Americans at Evteks this year. “In India, maybe there are half a dozen mills capable of handling export markets; in China there might be 500 mills but only a handful which can handle exports,” he points out. “Only in Turkey do you have hundreds of suppliers ready to do export business.  Germans and Americans did not attend Evteks in great numbers this year but that was because of the timing of Evteks. Maybe next year, Evteks dates may change to be held prior to Proposte,” he says. Sapmaz says even without the shows, Turkish suppliers will call on customers in their home base. “Even if buyers are afraid to come to Turkey, the suppliers will visit them during the year.” In addition, he says that Turkish suppliers are showing on a regular basis in New York showrooms, and the Turkish Government financially sponsors Turkish manufacturers at U.S. trade shows like Showtime where they show as a group. “Turkish manufacturers make certain they don’t copy designs that are confined to certain customers. Still some customers may be disturbed about the level of Turkish communication and delivery. Turkish prefer to invest in machinery but not as much in people,” he says. “However, Turkish service levels are improving all of the time.”