TEHRAN - The president of Iran’s National Carpet Center, Zahra Kamani, revealed that Iranian carpets continue to reach global markets despite numerous challenges, including sanctions and internal restrictions.Carpet Exports Persist Through Third Countries Amid Fierce CompetitionTEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to ILNA, Kamani highlighted that exports are no longer limited to official customs channels, with a portion of carpets leaving the country via suitcase trade or through intermediary nations. This resilience underscores the enduring global appeal of Iranian handwoven carpets, even as competitors like India, China, and Egypt intensify their efforts to dominate the international market.Kamani emphasized the pivotal role of Iran’s private sector in sustaining the carpet industry. “Private sector associations have long been the standard-bearers of Iranian carpets,” she said. “Their personal investments have kept the industry alive, proudly raising the flag of Iranian carpets in various countries.” She called for greater collaboration among industry stakeholders, suggesting the creation of a unified platform to bring together designers, dyers, weavers, restorers, and traders. Such synergy, she argued, would enhance the visibility of each segment’s capabilities and bolster the industry as a whole.Innovation, paired with a commitment to preserving tradition, was another key focus of Kamani’s remarks. She urged the industry to adopt modern technologies and innovative approaches to stay competitive, noting that Iran’s rivals are leveraging advanced methods to capture market share. “Our competitors are smartly working to outpace us, while we remain stuck in traditional methods,” she warned. “We have yet to fully embrace modern marketing and sales strategies.” Kamani believes that integrating technologies like artificial intelligence could revolutionize the industry, provided authenticity—a hard-earned hallmark of Iranian carpets—remains intact. “I advocate for technological advancement with utmost caution to safeguard our heritage,” she stressed.Kamani identified India, China, and Egypt as Iran’s primary competitors in the global handwoven carpet market. These countries have secured top rankings by modernizing their industries with cutting-edge technology. She also noted that Afghanistan and Pakistan have surpassed Iran in carpet finishing and restoration, largely due to Iran’s struggles with external sanctions and internal limitations. “To foreign sanctions, we must add our own self-imposed restrictions,” she remarked.Among these domestic hurdles, Kamani singled out the currency repatriation law as particularly burdensome for exporters. Additionally, the temporary transit of handmade carpets is constrained by tight deadlines, while the critical areas of restoration and finishing remain neglected in Iran. Turkey, she pointed out, has capitalized on this gap, employing Iranian restorers to boost its own economy. High import tariffs on raw materials, currency fluctuations, and the inability of Iranian exporters to open letters of credit (unlike their competitors) further complicate the situation. Kamani called for export incentives to alleviate these pressures and level the playing field.Despite these obstacles, Iranian carpets maintain a foothold in global markets. “Not all exports go through customs,” Kamani explained. “Some are carried out through suitcases, others via third countries. This shows that, despite all limitations, Iranian carpets still have devoted fans worldwide.” (ICE TEHERAN)

Fonte notizia: Iran News Daily