Iran exports 560mln of hand-woven carpets

Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Hamid Alikhani stressed that carpet export is one of the country\'s priorities for export. He noted that carpet is considered to be one of the oldest productions in Iran, noting some countries copy Iranian carpets and show them as their own. Iran is the leading exporter of hand-woven carpets. Persian rugs are highly sought out for their intricate design and skilled craftsmanship, and that\'s why Iran exports carpets to more than 100 countries in the world. Carpet-weaving is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished manifestations of the Persian culture and art, and dates back to ancient Persia. There is an estimated population of 1.2 million weavers in Iran producing carpets for domestic markets and international export. The country produces about five million square meters of carpets annually of which 80 percent are sold in international markets. The United States, Europe (specially Germany and Italy), China, Brazil, South and Central Africa, along with neighboring countries are the most important markets for Iranian made Persian Carpets.