Ten Afghan carpet companies successfully participated in the Domotex Middle East Trade Show in Dubai. USAID’s Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED) project sponsored a pavilion representing carpet production from various regions of the country. The Afghanistan pavilion displayed many styles and designs, including Khal Mohammadi, Mushwani, Chobi Ziegler, Sherwan, Turkmen Bokhara, Kazak, Kargai, and Belgique.
Although the global carpet market is suffering from the effects of the global economic recession, Afghan participants’ sales and contracts totaled $450,000, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. Buyers represented hotel chains, apartment complexes, and carpet wholesale and retail outlets from across the Middle East.
ASMED also worked with the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA) to host a matchmaking event, bringing together Afghan carpet traders and several buyers in a more intimate venue to discuss overcoming obstacles to trade between Afghanistan and the Gulf region. ASMED presented various project initiatives designed to support the value chain, including cut-and-wash facilities and carpet design training. ASMED and the EPAA are considering further marketing initiatives, including a trade mission to Russia and South Africa.