The Carpet Manufacturers Union says the carpet production
industry has increased significantly in the country this year.
Our production in 2023 compared to 2022 has a small and large percentage increase, but regarding its export, the same problems as before still exist,” said Farid Ahmad Karimzada, a member of the union. Meanwhile, Ministry of Industry and Commerce officials have said that up to one million square meters of carpets and rugs are produced in the country every year, and currently the process of exporting carpets to the world markets continues. According to them, efforts are underway to export more carpets to foreign countries.
According to ministry data spanning from the solar months of Hamal to Saratan (March 21 to July 22), Afghan carpets worth more than $7 million have been exported to various countries, including Turkey, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Uzbekistan. During the initial three months of the first quarter of [solar year] 1402, carpet exports reached $4,470,000,” stated Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Economic experts have also stated that when the carpet industry expands in the country, it can create jobs for many people at home.
In the past year, our sales have increased, and a significant number of our customers are from abroad. We are now also facilitating our own transfers,” revealed Mohammad Sabir, a carpet vendor. The Union of Carpet Producers and Exporters emphasized the positive impact of international exhibitions on promoting the Afghan handwoven carpet industry. Hosting such exhibitions has proved pivotal in driving exports upward.
Ministry of Industry and Commerce statistics outline that Afghanistan’s carpet exports reached approximately $22 million in value during the solar year 1401 ,(2022), with key markets including Pakistan, Turkey, the United States, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates.
