World Demand Grows For Afghan Handcrafts

Pajhwok

HERAT CITY - The export of carpets and rugs from the western Herat province has increased compared to previous years, earning US$1.1 million from the growing demand of Afghan handcrafts in the world market, officials said on Monday.

Ghulam Qadir Akbar, head of the Herat Chamber of Commerce, told Pajhwok Afghan News more than 21,700 metres of carpet and rugs had been exported to Canada, Germany and Italy in the last four months through their private sectors. ADVERTISEMENT

He said they had only exported 21,000 square metres of carpets in the four months. He said a total of 52,400 square metres of carpet and rugs had been exported abroad last year. He hoped carpet exports would increase considerably as the security condition was improved. He said the increase of carpet exports to European and northern American countries indicated the quality of Afghan handcrafts.

Haji Abdullah Shindandi, chief of the carpet sellers union, said many carpets were being sold unofficially by local traders and exported to Pakistan. He said insecurity also adversely affected business and transactions that had reduced carpet production.

Over 90 per cent of the raw materials for carpet manufacturing are bought from neighbouring countries due to the lack of machinery in the country. Carpet weavers also get very little income and this too has marred production.