Persian carpet reigns supreme

Persian carpet reigns supreme
Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:56:44

Iran exports 83 percent of carpets woven in the country.

Producing some 40% of the carpets woven in the world, Iranian carpet weavers have obtained the first place in the global carpet industry.

“The country's carpet exports during the first 10 months of last year amounted to around $340 million and is expected to rise further thanks to better planning and provision of more support to weavers, designers and traders,” Seyyed Jalaleddin Bassam, managing director of the Iran Carpet Company said.

Some 1.2 million people are employed in the industry as weavers of carpets, kilims, jajims and other types of traditional carpeting, with another 300 thousand engaged in related activities, Bassam said.

He put the country's total carpet production at about 5.8 million square meters last year, adding that Iran exports 83 percent of carpets woven in the country.

The Persian carpet is a world of artistic magnificence nurtured for more than 2,500 years. The Iranians are known to be among the first carpet weavers of the world's ancient civilizations and through centuries of creativity have achieved a unique degree of excellence in their highly elaborate trade.