USAID organized Afghan participation in a trade show held at the World Market Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 28-February 1. Four businesses from the carpet sector were participated and sold $350,000 worth of carpets at the show itself and signed contracts for at least another $1.25 million. The U.S. Department of Commerce was an active partner in the show, as was the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan. The purpose of the Afghan traders’ participation at the exhibition was to attract international buyers to the Afghan handcrafts. Last month, USAID and the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan sent 28 Afghan carpet producers to the Domotex carpet trade show in Hanover, Germany. The show generated more than $5.2 million in export deals and Mr. Haji Nabi, owner of Zinnat Carpets, took home the award for Best Modern Carpet Design.