Afghan Carpet Dealers Raise Afghanistan’s Profile in Europe

Kabul, Afghanistan  | Thursday, January 14, 2010

Photo: USAID/ASMED

Afghanistan Carpet Booth from Domotex 2009.

For the third year in a row, Afghan carpet makers and dealers will showcase their country’s best hand-made carpets and kilims in an international exhibition in Hannover, Germany, next week.

Domotex, the premiere international carpet trade show, will start January 16 and continue four days.

The 18 participating Afghan carpet dealers are expected to generate millions of dollars in exports and bridge the gap between suppliers and international consumers.                

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) sponsored the Afghan participation in Domotex this year through shipment of carpets, advertisements, production of catalogue, and finding potential business partners for the Afghan dealers.

Establishing direct contact with carpet importers in Europe is of significant importance because while Afghanistan is one of the largest carpet producers in the world, much of the production is branded by neighboring countries.  Thus, Afghan producers often find themselves trapped in a labor-intensive business that brings them low or no profit.

“Afghanistan is world-famous for its carpets but decades of war and civil strife has downgraded the vital role this sector of the economy once had.  Exhibitions such as Domotex are all but one effective way of re-introducing Afghan carpet makers and dealers to the world.  USAID is pleased to play its share in promoting Afghan carpet dealers,” said USAID Deputy Mission Director Rebecca Black.

Last year, 21 Afghan carpet dealers participated in the Hannover exhibition, netting more than $5 million in direct sales and contracts.