Iran's handmade carpet exports sustain momentum

22 Aug '12

2 min read

Iran exported handmade carpets worth US$ 116 million during the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year that began on March 20, 2012, according to the Iran National Carpet Centre.

During the quarter, carpets from Iran reached over 50 countries including Germany, Japan and Italy.

In spite of being hit by global financial sanctions, Iran’s carpet exports continue to reach the US, through Canada and Mexico.

According to experts, Americans are quite used to the Iranian carpet, and hence the sanctions would not have any major impact on the Iranian carpet industry.

During last Iranian calendar year that ended on March 19, 2012, Iran shipped handmade carpets worth over US$ 560 million to 80 countries, according to the Customs Administration data.

The value of carpet exports increased by 0.8 percent during the period, but the volume of exports plunged 15.4 percent year-on-year.

For the current calendar year, the country has set a target of exporting carpets worth US$ 1 billion.

Carpets are one of the key non-oil exports of Iran, and hence of vital importance for earning foreign exchange.

The Islamic Republic is now also focusing on enhancing carpet exports to the UAE and China.

The country is also in talks with Latin American countries for handmade carpet trade.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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