HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): A number of artisans in western Herat province have expressed concern about the decline in sales and exports of carpets.
They say the handicraft market has been on the wane for several years and the government should address the issue on a priority basis.
Ahmad Zubair, a carpet-weaver and seller in Herat, complained about the lack of market for his products in this province.
Talking to Pajhwok Afghan News, he said carpet sales had slumped significantly over the past few months. Traders are subsequently keeping their carpets in warehouses.
“The reason behind the decline in our business is the presence in the domestic market of low-quality and cheap foreign carpets, which are imported from neighbouring Iran. Unfortunately, not a single carpet is allowed to be exported from Afghanistan.”
Haji Samad, another weaver, also grumbled about the absence of a profitable domestic market for national industries such as rugs and carpets.
Meanwhile, trader Bashir Ahmad confirmed to Pajhwok the carpet market was far from stable. Carpets remained in warehouses for months, he said.
He urged the government to provide them with market and export facilities.
About 100 carpets of different seizes were produced daily in the provincial capital and districts, he estimated, lamenting plummeting sales.
Rafi Naderi, head of the Herat Carpet-Weavers Association, : “We are striving to provide the basis for the sale of carpets through domestic and foreign merchants, but cooperation from the government is necessary.”
Naderi verified a 30 percent fall carpet exports, saying most of quality Afghan carpets countries ended up in countries like Pakistan and Turkmenistan, with a small number going to Iran.
Maulvi Mohammad Zubair Din Parwar, director of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also acknowledged the nosedive in the carpet business, leaving artisans in economic problems.
He said they had talked to a number of domestic and foreign organisations to support the handicraft sector in the province.
Nooruddin Azizi, acting minister of industry and commerce, earlier told a press conference that his ministry was supporting all traders and carpet-weavers.
Azizi added they were doing all they could to facilitate the export of Afghan carpets, which are in high demand both in the region and beyond.
sa/mud
