Combining “consulting” and “commerce” in a unique model within the home textile sector, Anka Consultancy & Textile stands out with the industry experience and diplomatic mission of its founder, Ahmet Serdar Sütçüoğlu. Bridging nations, the company has built a cross-border partnership between Türkiye and Pakistan.
“We set no limits in home textiles” Anka Consultancy & Textile shares its journey approaching its 30th year
“We are present in every area from cotton to finished garments, from export to transit,” says Ahmet Serdar Sütçüoğlu, Founder of Anka Consultancy & Textile and Honorary Consul of Pakistan in Bursa. We spoke with him about their visionary trade model and Türkiye-Pakistan cooperation in home textiles.
Interviewee: Ahmet Serdar Sütçüoğlu — Owner of Anka Consultancy & Textile, Honorary Consul of Pakistan in Bursa, Former Vice President of the Turkish Home Textile Industrialists’ and Businesspeople’s Association (TETSİAD).
Founded in 1997, Anka Consultancy & Textile today operates in a wide range of areas in the home textile industry—from cotton to finished garments, from imports to transit trade. We listen to Mr. Sütçüoğlu’s vision, sectoral observations, and the reflection of diplomatic relations between the two countries on trade.
NO LIMITS IN OUR VISION
What inspired the founding of Anka Consultancy & Textile, and how has its core vision evolved over time?
“Our company was founded in 1997; 28 years have passed, and we’re approaching our 30th anniversary. Our core vision—centered on Home Textiles—is limitless within this framework. There are no boundaries in terms of product diversity or sales channels. We’re involved in everything from cotton to finished garments, semi-finished products, exports, imports, and transit trade.”
How do you evaluate the current position of your company? What are the main factors behind this success?
“Our main motto: We are open to sourcing from all over the world and selling to every market in the Home Textile sector. Especially in procurement, we assume that we own all the production points in the world, and we try to utilize this broad supply portfolio with maximum efficiency in a timesensitive manner. We offer our potential customers sourcing options from all global production centers and make ideal purchasing decisions together. For us, both our suppliers and customers are longterm partners. Another important feature of ours is our bilateral activity richness: If we can’t sell, we buy; if we can’t buy, we sell.”
In your business model that brings together “consulting” and “textiles,” in which areas do you think you make a difference?
“Like every sector, the textile industry needs people and institutions with long-term experience and a broad international vision. To us, consulting is the art of presenting the most optimal options with the least risk in the shortest time while adapting to changing market conditions… A tailor-made model… Not a fixed menu, but a la carte, in other words. With nearly 30 years of international experience and our company’s unique vision, we try to fulfill the essential parameters of this definition.”
A TRADE VISION SHAPED BY DIPLOMACY
As the Honorary Consul of Pakistan in Bursa, how does this role reflect on your company’s foreign trade and relationship strategies?
“While trying to fulfill my honorary consulate duties, I honestly try to keep my scope as wide as possible. That is, not only for Bursa, which has a special place in my heart, but for our entire country—Türkiye—and, of course, particularly for our Home Textile sector, where I have nearly 30 years of experience. I sincerely express that I strive for maximum effort for all sectors of both Türkiye and our brother country Pakistan. Our main focus in these efforts is to instill belief in both countries’ sectors that they are not rivals but supporters of each other in a shared model. Only with this belief can collaborations become long-lasting.”
How do you assess the economic and cultural relations between Türkiye and Pakistan? What role can the Home Textile sector play in this context?
“Unfortunately, I must state that despite the highest levels of mutual brotherhood, emotional ties, and shared cultural aspects, the reflection of these on economic relations is highly insufficient. Once again, the solution to this contradictory situation is that both brother countries should not impose trade barriers in the sectors where each is active.”
Can you share examples of collaborations with Pakistan-based brands or your importexport bridges?
“Branding is unfortunately a mutual wound for both countries… Despite Pakistan being the world’s third-largest and Türkiye the fourth-largest supplier in the global home textile market, both nations have failed to achieve success in branding—this is concerning and in urgent need of resolution. In this mutual deficiency, I personally believe—and wish—that Türkiye will progress faster and that Pakistan will become the leading semi-finished product supporter on this branding journey.”
SECTORAL ANALYSIS AND EXPORT INSIGHTS
In recent years, Türkiye’s home textile exports have seen notable growth. How do you interpret this development?
“I must express with regret that I do not agree with this observation. Due to its unbranded/contract manufacturing style and increasing costs compared to competitor countries, Türkiye’s home textile sector has actually stagnated in recent years—or, to put it more optimistically, remained steady. Unless even a partial shift to branded production is achieved, and unless trade barriers are reassessed in favor of more competitive countries in semifinished supply, I regret to say that this stagnation will inevitably turn into decline.”
What do you think about the image of Turkish home textile brands in global markets? Which countries and segments do you think have potential?
“Again, I must point out that there is no global brand from Türkiye in the home textile sector. To put it plainly, we lack a manufacturing brand. However, Turkish retail chains that are rapidly expanding abroad have made remarkable progress in a short time and continue to do so. Although they are not producers, these retail examples should be a source of inspiration and encouragement for our manufacturers.”
What are some notable initiatives or advisory roles that Anka Consultancy & Textile has undertaken to strengthen Türkiye’s position in home textile exports?
“The key to marketing a product lies in its differentiation, quality, continuity, and price. The more parameters you stand out in, the closer you are to success. Our main perspective—which we believe in and try to instill in our partners—is: *Even if you are a manufacturer, do not fall into the trap of only marketing what you produce. *Closely follow changing market conditions and adapt rapidly in procurement and sales.”
NGO EXPERIENCE AND ADVICE TO YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
During your TETSIAD membership, what significant changes and transformations have you observed in the sector?
“During my TETSIAD membership: *The development of communication channels among our members has improved our awareness of sectoral developments and each other. *Türkiye’s recognition in international markets and fairs has increased and gained more visibility. *We have established closer and warmer communication with our government.”
What types of initiatives are you involved in or do you recommend in terms of NGOs, fairs, and international organizations?
“Although the pandemic era made it seem like physical interactions, fairs, and similar events were less important, I do not share this view. I firmly believe that Turkish businesspeople, who have high communication, persuasion, and representation skills, will outperform competitors from other countries in such events. Therefore, I desire and foresee that these types of international events should be primarily supported by sectoral NGOs and, under their leadership, by our government as well.”
How do you evaluate Türkiye’s current position in terms of sustainable production, brand awareness, and qualified labor in home textiles?
“Although Türkiye is perhaps among the leading countries in sustainable production and qualified labor in the home textile sector, it is unfortunately not where it should be in terms of branding and cost parameters, as mentioned earlier.”
STRATEGIC ROADMAPS AND MID-TERM PLANNING
What are your company’s key strategies for the second half of 2025? Are there any new markets or projects you are targeting?
“Regardless of the sector or market, staying current is a very critical parameter. We try to remain highly alert and up to date with global conflicts and the fact that a single sentence from world leaders can suddenly overturn market conditions. In such a variable environment—driven by factors beyond our control—I must admit that we are not very successful in predicting what kind of market conditions await us tomorrow.”
How is Anka Consultancy & Textile planning to evolve its product/service portfolio in the mid-term?
“As we stated at the beginning, our main framework is limited to home textiles, but within that frame, there are neither boundaries nor gaps. It’s a fully packed frame. Once again, since our scope includes everything from cotton to readymade garments in terms of products, and from export, import, to transit in terms of channels, we are proud to say that we have no gaps left to fill.”
What steps do you foresee for Türkiye to become a global brand country in the textile sector?
“As emphasized many times earlier, although Türkiye may not yet have a strong manufacturing brand in the home textile sector, our retail chain brands expanding abroad are thriving. This makes me believe that manufacturing companies in home textiles should also concentrate on branding efforts. Additionally, necessary sales channels should shift more towards retail and online, rather than wholesale.”
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or firms aiming to progress in exports?
“My foremost advice to entrepreneurs and companies in all sectors is: Think globally. The market in procurement and sales is the entire world… For now… Who knows—perhaps in the near future, we might even be talking about markets beyond Earth!”
FINAL THOUGHTS: FROM BROTHERHOOD TO SYNERGY
As we conclude our interview, would you like to share a final message regarding Türkiye– Pakistan friendship, the home textile sector, or your vision for the future?
“Türkiye–Pakistan friendship and brotherhood are at the highest levels. My heartfelt wish is that nothing ever harms this bond. However, we are also aware that we still have a long way to go to elevate our economic cooperation to its rightful level. Once again, the most important mindset is how we can view each other not as competitors, but as partners in the same project—and thus act as a united front in global markets. We must find an answer to the question: how can we create synergy by combining Pakistan’s low-cost strength with Türkiye’s international market credibility, unique presentation skills, and creativity? The time to act is now—without delay.”
