Tehran, Iran, May 2, 2007--Iran’s Commerce Minister has said Iran occupies 41 percent of the global carpet market with its export value reaching $400m in 2006.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 5th International Exhibition of Hand-Woven Persian Carpets on Kish Island, Masoud Mir-Kazemi said Persian carpet exports are reliant on global market demands and customer prefrences.
"One of the most significant elements of Iran's carpet industry is its attention to customer needs and interests," Fars News Agency quoted him as saying.
The minister added that studies are underway for assessing the needs of global customers and increasing Iran's share of different [lucrative] markets in Europe and the United States.
Mir-Kazemi said that 500 networked stores will be established across the globe for expanding the market of Persian rugs and boosting exports of the world's most exquisite carpets.
He also called for an increase in the price of Persian carpets from the present $50 per square meter to about $300.
As per latest figures released by the National Iranian Carpet Center, Iran's hand-woven carpet export has declined by two percent since March 21. Most Iranian carpets are exported to Germany and the US.
China, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Turkey and rural carpet cooperatives have participated in the four-day long international carpet fair which will continue to May 4 on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.
