Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14
By Rahim Zamanov - Trend:
Hand-made carpet exports currently accounts for 1.2 per cent of Iran's total non-oil exports, Deputy Governor of Isfahan province, Hamedanian, said on Jan. 14, the ISNA News Agency reported.
"It is while the figure stood at 16.5 per cent in the Iranian calendar year 1379 (ended March 20, 2001)," he said.
He went on to note that Isfahan province's share in the country's total hand-made carpet production is about 10-12 per cent.
The Director of Coordination Department of Carpet Management Organization Lotfi Afshar said on January 12 that Iran has exported 80 percent of its hand-made carpets to the international markets, the Fars News Agency reported.
"80 percent of the country's hand-made carpets have so far been exported to the international markets," Afshar said.
"Hand-made carpets are an absolute advantage for Iran, he said adding that Iran is the leading exporter of hand- made carpets in the world.
Persian rugs are highly sought out for their intricate design and skilled craftsmanship, and that's why Iran exports carpets to more than 100 countries in the world.
Carpet-weaving is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished examples of Persian culture and art, and dates back to ancient Persia.
There is an estimated population of 1.2mln weavers in Iran producing carpets for domestic markets and international export.
The country produces about 5mln square meters of carpets annually of which 80 percent are sold in international markets.
The United States, Europe (especially Germany and Italy), China, Brazil, South and Central Africa, along with neighboring countries are the most important markets for Iranian made Persian Carpets.