Iran News - 2m work in Persian carpet industry

Iran News - 2m work in Persian carpet industry: "2m work in Persian carpet industry

Sunday, October 02, 2005 - ©2005 IranMania.com


LONDON, October 2 (IranMania) - Some two mln people are involved in Persian carpet industry nationwide, said the head of the National Persian Carpet Center of Iran, adding that the industry can slow down migration of rural and tribal people to larger cities, if it receives greater attention from the state.

According to ILNA, Morteza Faraji further said that the center is planning to find the causes of declining demand for Persian rugs on international markets.

?The center?s research department as been tasked with conducting a research study to determine why international Persian carpet sales are declining,? he said, adding that the center will also seek expert views from NGOs, unions, cooperatives and academicians on the key issue.

The Persian carpet industry, he pointed out, has to be looked at from different angles, stressing that the industry generates financial resources and job opportunities while preserving cultural heritage and arts.

Experts say modern marketing methods have to be employed to reverse the declining trend of Persian carpet exports, adding that the quality of Persian rugs have to improve as well.

On the other hand, new international markets need to be created for Persian rugs.

Some $470 mln worth of Persian carpets were exported in the year to March 2005. The government must boost export incentives to encourage the Persian carpet industry to step up exports.

Increasing imitation of unique Persian rug designs by Pakistani, Indian and Chinese carpet weavers has resulted in Iran losing some 40 % of its share in the global hand-woven carpet market.

The carpet industry needs to devise design and production standards to protect the high status of Persian carpet at the international level.

Experts say regional carpet weavers, especially in Pakistan, imitate the designs of Persian carpets and export them to international markets.

Roqayyieh Almasi, a member of Scientific Association of Persian Carpet, said earlier that Pakistani weavers use Persian designs and export their products under world-famous Iranian brands such as Haris, Afshar, Kashan, Kerman, etc."