Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 18
By Rahim Zamanov - Trend:
Iran has produced 59.181 million cubic meters of machine-made carpets in the first three quarters of the current calendar year, which started on March 21, 2013, Iran's IRNA News Agency reported on January 18.
The figures show a 4.9 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
"Iran has exported 80 percent of its hand-made carpets to the international markets, Director of the Coordination Department of the Carpet Management Organization Lotfi Afshar said on January 12, the Fars News Agency reported.
"Some 80 percent of the country's hand-made carpet has so far been exported to the international markets," Afshar said.
"Hand-made carpet is an absolute advantage for Iran," he said. "Iran is the leading exporter of hand- made carpet in the world."
Hand-made carpet exports currently accounts for 1.2 percent of Iran's total non-oil exports, deputy governor of Isfahan province, Hamedanian said on January 14, the ISNA News Agency reported.
"It is while the figure stood at 16.5 percent in the Iranian calendar year 1379 (ended on 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 percent.
Persian rugs are highly sought out for their intricate design and skilled craftsmanship, and that's why Iran exports carpets to more than 100 world countries.
Carpet-weaving is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished features of the 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.