In latest development of escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, an informal ban on Turkish products has hit the international fashion scene. As per a Financial Times report, Spanish fashion brand Mango has banned all imports of made in Turkey products. The brand is one of several European and US fashion retailers that have manufacturing sites in Turkey, including Sweden’s H&M and Britain’s Marks & Spencer, among others.

Mustafa Gultepe, Head-Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB), said, all Turkish exporters to Saudi Arabia are facing long delays at Saudi customs portal. Hence, eight Turkish business groups, including textile exporters and contractors, have urged Saudi Arabia to improve trade relations between the two rivals.

Last year, Riyadh had blocked the entrance of dozens of Turkish trucks carrying textile products and chemicals into the country while state-run media and leading business figures have advocated for boycotts of tourism and imports against Ankara.

Earlier this month Ajlan al-Ajlan, Head, Chamber of Commerce, urged the government to set up an official boycott in response to the continued hostility of the Turkish government against Saudi Arabia.