Tough residency rules and Chinese competition squeeze Istanbul's 'suitcase trade'

Porters in Laleli, a narrow alleyway in central Istanbul, transport packages destined for far-off destinations, marking a key link in the "suitcase trade" that once transported goods across continents to sub-Saharan Africa. Once a bustling hub, this informal shipping network now faces growing challenges from rising costs and tougher residency requirements set by Turkish authorities.