Tehran, Iran, July 19, 2006--The U.S. was among Iran's major importers of Persian carpet in the first quarter of the current Iranian fiscal year of 1385 (started on March 21), according to IRNA.
According to the Public Relations Department of Iran's Customs Administration, 22 per cent of Iranian carpets were destined to the US in the March 21-June 21 period, earning the country US$17.711 million.
The U.S. has been importing Persian carpets since 2000, when the White House lifted a ban on the import of carpets, pistachio nuts and caviar from Iran.
Germany with U.S.$11.939 million worth of imports stood second in the list, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with US$9.837 million in the period.
Japan and Italy were among other top importers.
A total of US$79.263 million worth of hand-woven carpets were exported in the first three months of this year. The figure stood at US$86.045 million in the corresponding period the previous year.
