Kabal, Afghanistan, July 24, 2006--A delegation of Afghan businessmen met various American dignitaries during a visit to the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, according to Pajhwok Afghan News.
The visiting team also interacted with carpet and rug producers from all over the world
The delegation represented Afghanistan's rug industry and was received by the embassy of Afghanistan in Washington D.C.
In his welcoming address ambassador Said T. Jawad said, "I am honoured to be here with you this afternoon to showcase an Afghan product that is a symbol of our countrys culture, history and tradition."
U.S. Department of Commerces assistant secretary of market access & compliance and chair of the Afghanistan Investment & Reconstruction Task Force David Bohigian also spoke on this occasion.
Following these speakers, the leader of the delegation Sayed Javed Andish introduced his delegates and thanked the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Embassy's Economic, Trade & Investment Department for providing opportunities to link directly to rug importers in the United States.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez spoke warmly of the Afghan people whom he met while traveling in Afghanistan earlier this year. He restated the United States long-term commitment to the economic revitalization of Afghanistan, and encouraged the delegates to have an enormously successful trip.
Rug importers and collectors, U.S. government officials, members of the Washington diplomatic community and other friends of Afghanistan joined in welcoming the aspiring group of Afghan businessmen.
The delegation arrived in the U.S. earlier this week to attend the renowned Atlanta International Area Rug Market. During their visit, the delegates attended meetings with government and business leaders on how Afghan rug makers can market and sell their unique hand-made rugs in the US market.
This visit includes stops in Atlanta, GA, Washington, D.C., Newark, NJ and New York, NY. Two-way trade between the United States and Afghanistan reached $330 million last year, a 43 percent increase over the previous year.
Afghan rugs are allowed access to the American market duty free, and hand woven rugs were designated as duty free in June 2005. Investment opportunities exist in carpets and textiles as well as a variety of other sectors in Afghanistan.
