Production of high-quality machine-made carpets has risen significantly despite the recession afflicting the economy. By thoughtful planning, they can throw the economy a lifeline by boosting non-oil exports.
Their production enjoys high added value as it brings about the advancement of related industries, Forsat-e Emrooz daily reported.
“Iran’s machine-made carpet production capacity is estimated at 120 million square meters a year, whereas real production stands at 80 million square meters, 50 million square meters of which are sold in the domestic market and the rest is exported to neighboring states,” says Alireza Haeri, the head of Iran Textile Association.
Forty-five countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, China, Turkey, Canada, Australia and Indonesia, are buyers of Iranian carpets.
Around 1,500 machine-made carpet workshops are active in Iran.
Earlier, Haeri lamented that Iran is falling behind the global market due to the “unfair economic sanctions, despite the country’s potential to become a top exporter”.
According to Iran Customs Administration, the combined exports of machine-made and hand-woven carpets earned $700 million in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2015).
Mohammad Hadi Kamalian, the head of Machine-Made Carpet Association, said the production of machine-made carpets is set to double, thanks to the ongoing imports of modern machinery.
“Most carpet sellers and factory owners export their carpets through intermediaries,” he said.
According to Machine-Made Carpet Association of Isfahan Province, Iranian carpets have their foreign customers despite the global recession. Isfahan Province makes up for 75% of the country’s machine-made carpet manufacture, 70% of which belong to the city of Kashan.
Many players of the industry believe that with government backing, the market of Iranian machine-made carpets across the world can see better days.
“Imports in recent years took textile industry to the brink of disaster. This is while industrialists need support to reclaim the carpet industry’s past glory by making quality products,” says a producer.
Machine-made carpets are made by large machines called power looms. A power loom is electrically automated and controlled by computers. These carpets can be produced quickly with materials, including wool and synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon, polyester, acrylic and art silk.
