Tuesday, July 26, 2011 – Afghan carpets export shows a decrease of almost 75% during the last four years, according to Afghan Export Development Agency officials.
Afghan Carpet Weaving Association said, the government does not pay attention to support carpet weaving in the country and Afghan carpet weavers are still facing many challenges in various aspects, which needs government’s consideration.
According to Afghan Export Development Agency officials, Afghanistan exported 2 millions and 972 square meters of carpet last year while Afghanistan has exported 1 million and 7 hundred thousand square meters of carpet so far this year.
Mohammad Fazel Wasit, Acting Director of Exports Development Agency said, “Everything depends on stability. We didn’t have satisfactory results in the recent years, and I think there will be no positive change in the coming years as well.”
In the meantime, the carpet weaving and exports association officials said, unavailability of bank loans with reasonable interests, high prices of transportation and lack of land to construct carpet processing centre are the main challenges ahead of carpet exports. He stressed that the challenges are growing day by day.
Officials further added, more than 50% of raw material for Afghan carpets comes from neighbouring countries, especially from Pakistan.
Mohammad Hadi Farzam, Director of Carpet Exports Association said, “Carpet is the best export item, when we don’t have international markets, then what should we do? When we talk about economy, what does it mean? Our production has come down to 75%.”
In the meantime, the Exports Development Agency officials said, they are trying to solve the issues and find international markets for Afghan carpets.
I think there is a great market for Afghan carpet in Canada. I have been living here for 12 years now and as a young entrepreneur I can see good potential for a country who is well known aroun the world to make the best carpets. I don’t see the problem being the carpets, I see the problem of oversea sales. If Afghanistan can manage to find sales people who can market their product overseas where carpet retailers, interior designers and archetics see such products, I don’t see why they will not have a use for it. Bring the whole sale price a bit lower an sell in bigger quantity. I am looking myself to import Afghanistan carpets in to Canada but it seems a I can not find the person who can supply them. That tells me there is a marketing issue which suppliers are not being publicly marketed right.
I am interested in importing th Afgan carpet to Ghana.