Iran expands carpet export markets to Russia, Malaysia, South Africa, and China

TEHRAN,Sept.16(MNA) – Iran has expanded its carpet export markets to Russia, Malaysia, South Africa, and China, the deputy director of Iran’s National Carpet Center, Mojtaba Feizollahi, stated. He also said that the center is planning for exporting carpets to other countries, including Qatar and the UAE, the Fars News Agency quoted Feizollahi as saying. Dispatching trade delegations to different countries and establishing commercial centers overseas are on the agenda to expand carpet sales, he said. Iran has exported some €24.9 million worth of handmade carpets to the EU during the first half of the current Iranian year, according to Persian language Jahan Sanat daily. Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, and the UK were the main European importers of Iran's handmade carpets during the period, the report said. Iranian carpets constitute 35 percent of the global carpet market share. Iran exports carpets to at least 70 countries. There is an estimated population of 1.2 million carpet weavers in Iran, producing carpets for domestic and international markets.