Iranian Carpet Transactions to be Revamped

Tehran, Iran, May 14, 2007--A comprehensive plan is being devised in Iran under which the current organizational structure of carpet transactions will be revamped. Morteza Sharafi, in charge of the National Iranian Carpet Center, said that an organization will be formed to cover carpet and handicraft affairs under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce.

The organization under the title 'Carpet and Handicrafts Organization' aims to promote the cultural and artistic status of Persian carpet, ISNA quoted the official as saying on Monday.

According to Faraji, 40 percent of the per capita income in an Iranian village with 50 households is earned through carpet-weaving, which is also an alternative for seasonal laborers.

Carpet, preceded by petrochemical products, is Iran's first non-oil export. As per official figures, more than $450 million worth of hand-woven carpets were exported in the first nine months of the last Iranian year (ended March 21).

"I believe if we consider the real price of the Persian carpet, we can export as much as $700 million," he said.

Referring to significance of adopting a systematic approach toward carpet trade, Faraji said that breakthroughs in the field should be recorded and published in the form of books and pamphlets for educational purposes.

The official further said that domestic carpet weavers should try to produce customizable rugs, adding the carpet center has planned several workshops with regard to carpet marketing and customizability.

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.