Carpet exhibit promoting Iran exports
Monday, August 27, 2007 - ?2005 IranMania.com
LONDON, August 27 (IranMania) - Iran exported over $10 mln of handwoven carpet during 2000-2003, managing director of Tehran International Exhibitions Joint Stock Company said, Iran Daily reported.
Speaking at the 16th Persian Carpet Grand Exhibition, Hamid Qavam-Shahidi stated that Germany, the US and Italy were the top importers of handmade Persian rugs in the past six years.
He noted that the exhibition helps boosting Persian carpet exports given that many deals are expected in the event.
Over 400 major Iranian and foreign companies and merchants are taking part in the weeklong event which opened on Thursday and will run through Aug. 29.
The official said that export of handwoven Persian carpets would increase if rugs meet the taste of customers and are marketed properly.
Bahram Hazrati, a carpet exporter, told Iran Daily?s Farzaneh Shokri that Persian carpet industry plays an important role in job creation and bringing in hard currency revenues for the country.
Hazrati was named exemplary exporter of West Azarbaijan province in 2004.
He noted that carpet exports from the northwestern province grew by 312% in the year to March 2007.
Hazrati cited the reason for such jump in exports as producing carpets according to the tastes of foreign customers in the United States, Europe and Arab countries.
Iran is the world?s top exporter of handwoven carpets. However, exports have declined in recent years due to the emergence of rivals from India and Pakistan.
Indian and Pakistani carpet weavers imitate Iranian designs and use low-quality raw materials to create inexpensive carpets.
