TURKEY-CARPET -Turkish carpet maker to open stores in USA and Europe.

GAZIANTEP, Apr 11, 2011 (TUR) -- A Turkish carpet manufacturer will open 250 carpet and furniture stores in the USA and Europe in the next five years under the Turquality program.

Mahmut Erdemlioglu, a member of the Executive Board of Merinos Hali, told A.A on Monday that their exports to 65 countries including the USA, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Dubai, Qatar and Russia reached $130 million in 2010. "We want to increase our exports up to $170 million this year. We also want to export our products to new countries," he said.

Established in 1970, Merinos Hali, the second biggest carpet manufacturer in the world, has become a giant enterprise with representations in 47 countries including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq. With 30 different quality, 15 various color group and thousands of alternative design range, Merinos Hali exports 25 percent of its production.

Turquality is a government funded brandization programme, aiming at encouraging Turkish companies to creating stronger brands and helping increase their market share abroad.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)