Iranian carpet is a vital sector threatened by political conditions

Mohammad Rehmanpour-Tehran

Iranian hand-made carpets (Ajami) is one of the finest carpets in the world, and the most prestigious industries and an essential part of Iranian culture, and one of the most important non-oil exports because of the unique elegance and beauty of the golden fingers that make it.

Handmade carpets are a rich heritage that reflects the social and cultural life and diverse customs of the peoples of different times, and preserves precious pieces in museums, palaces and houses, because of their material and moral value.

The handmade carpet industry differs from its industrial counterpart in the materials used, designs, colors, quality, dimensions, speed of weaving and purchasing value.

Although Iran is one of the world's largest manufacturers of hand-made carpets, the industry faces many risks to its industry's collapse.

Export
Iran exports about 80% of all its handmade carpets to more than 70 countries, 30% of which is sent to the United States, which represents the world's first market, followed by Germany, Lebanon, Britain, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

The United States, after banning Iranian oil sales, targeted the carpet sector in Iran after it emerged from the nuclear deal in May 2018, with the value of exports falling to zero, after it sold $ 125 million in 2017, according to the National Carpet Center of Iran.

Iranian hand-made carpet exports rose from $ 2.12 billion two and a half decades ago (1994) to $ 426 million in 2017 due to problems in the sector, according to the same center.

"The United States targeted by banning the sale of low-income Iranian hand-made carpets in villages and small cities, and human rights were violated because the government was not harmed by the embargo, it was harmed," said Sayed Morteza Aqa Miri, a member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Manufacturers and Exporters of Hand-Made Carpets in Iran. Including the biggest losers. "

Competitors
`` About 2.5 million people work in the hand-made carpet sector.Iran's absence from international markets to sell hand-made carpets will make it easier for its competitors from other countries to occupy its prestigious position.If the situation continues on the same path, we will see the collapse of this ancient industry in the future.

US sanctions have directly affected shipping companies that have stopped importing and exporting Iranian goods, including handmade carpets, and have barred Iranian companies from attending international fairs to sell their products.

Bank transfers between exporting companies in Iran and importing companies outside the country are a new factor impeding the export of carpets from Iran, giving priority to other foreign companies - such as China and Pakistan - to buy carpets, fearing sanctions, and to avoid problems related to import and banks.

Iranian carpet problems are not limited to U.S. sanctions, but include several internal factors that have negatively affected the marketing of the product inside and outside the country.Houshank Fakhir, vice-president of the Federation of Handicraft Exporters, criticizes the government for imposing obstructive labor laws for producers and exporters of hand-made carpets instead of supporting them under the current difficult circumstances.

Other difficulties
Fakhr pointed out that the imposition of taxes on this sector in the past years has led to high prices of carpets and reduced competition with other countries that have cheap labor, and competition for Iranian handmade carpets, such as: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China and Turkey.

The non-fixing of the local currency against foreign currencies is also hampering the carpet sector.

The trader or exporter also undertakes to ensure the return of export funds to Iranian banks and exchange them in Iranian currency within a certain period through banks designated by the state in order to benefit from them in Iran's foreign trade dealings.

The Iranian government issued the decision after the US imposed sanctions on the country, which affected the carpet industry.

Imports of handmade carpets, such as silk and wool, also affected the rise in prices after the local currency fell against foreign currencies and increased labor salaries, which negatively affected the carpet sector in the country.

On the other hand, the lack of development of hand carpet patterns and modernization and the rise in prices of hand-made carpets, which ranges between $ 100 and $ 1,500 per square meter, and changing people's tastes and low purchasing power; .

The carpet sector seeks to find solutions to support and revive the carpet sector in order to survive, to preserve this heritage from collapse, and to protect it from retreat in front of its competitors.