Iran carpet exports at $440mn
Iran's exports volume of hand woven carpets has increased 14 percent in the last 10 months, compared with the same period last year, an official says.
"In the first 10 months of this [Iranian] year, Iran exported hand woven carpet worth USD 440 million to foreign countries," head of Iran's National Carpet Center Faisal Merdasi said on Tuesday.
He also predicted that the exports volume would reach USD 500 million until the end of the current Iranian calendar year on March 20.
"Regarding rising exports rate of carpets, it is expected that the volume reaches its highest rate in the past six years," Merdasi was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Merdasi, who is also the deputy commerce minister, said Iranian carpets are exported to 33 countries, adding that Germany, the US, the UAE, Japan, Italy, and Switzerland are the main importers.
"South Africa, China, Kazakhstan, and Brazil are regarded the new destinations of the Iranian carpets," he explained.
The official also praised trade in old hand woven carpets of Iran, saying many countries are interested in the carpets due to its high value and its design.
Carpet-weaving is one of the most distinguished manifestations of Persian culture and art, dating back to ancient Persia.
There is an estimated population of 1.2 million weavers in Iran who produce carpets for both domestic and international markets.
