Iranian, Turkish carpet sales plummet in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of Kabul-based traders say the sale of Turkish and Iranian carpets has declined due to the current economic situation of the people.

Mohammad Agha, selling Iranian and Turkish carpets in Kabul, told Pajhwok Afghan News his business had declined and so had handicraft imports as a result the ongoing economic crisis in the country.

He recalled: “I used to import carpets from Iran once a week and from Turkey once a month. But I cannot do so now even in four months.”

Omaid, another foreign carpet vendor in the capital, also confirmed a sharp drop in sales of Turkish and Iranian rugs.

“Given people’s shrinking purchasing power, there are fewer takers for Turkish and Iranian carpets. When there are no buyers, how will we import more carpets?” he asked.

He said they used to sell three to four carpets a day, but currently unable to sell even one a week.

Shopkeeper Ajmal also complained the sale of Turkish and Iranian carpets had decreased due to financial problems of the people.

Other carpet dealers held similar views, asking the government to create employment opportunities and thereby help people out of the hard economic situation.

Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Nooruddin Azizi told Pajhwok a decline in imports would help create a better market for Afghan products.

“Our demand is that people should use Afghan carpets, which are famous all over the world. Our domestic products will thus improve,” he believed.

sa/mud