Kunduz carpet weavers demand exclusive industrial park

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Carpet weavers in Kunduz city, the capital of northern Kunduz province, say they face many challenges from lack of a suitable place to a dedicated industrial park and lack of access to raw materials.

They ask the government to establish an industrial park for carpet weavers and revive air corridors to enable them to export their products to international markets.

However, local officials say they are trying to establish different industrial parks for industrialists of the province.

Mohammad Nazir, a carpet weaver of a remote area in Chahar Dara district, said the caretaker government should provide facilities to carpet weavers in order to support the profitable industry.

“The previous government had promised to create a separate industrial park for carpet weavers, but the promise was never implemented. Another challenge we face is people’s bad economic situation because we cannot sell our products at a reasonable price,” Mohammad Nazir said.

Mohammad Rasoul, another carpet weaver, said: “Carpet weavers are facing numerous challenges like lack of an industrial park, which was promised but not created, and lack of raw materials, non-operational air corridors and some other problems”.

Mohammad Rahim Seerat, the Commerce and Industry Department head said that there has been some development in the creation of a separate industrial park for carpet weavers.

“The industrial park map has been sketched and sent for approval to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, we hope it will be approved soon and an industrial park will be created for carpet weavers and other craftsmen.”

For centuries, Afghan hand-woven carpets have been famous and have a special reputation and credibility in international markets, but recently due to the imports of rugs from other countries and lack of governmental support, the industry is facing many challenges.

aw/ma