“From 5 Afghan carpet companies participating in the exhibition in 2006 to 9 today, our exhibition team is getting larger and larger. We hope to find more trade cooperation through the exhibition.” Sai Yi, Vice Chairman of the Afghan Carpet Exporters Association De Bilal Faruco said in an interview with reporters on the 3rd.
The 2016 China (Qinghai) Tibetan Blanket International Exhibition (hereinafter referred to as: Tibetan Blanket Exhibition) opened on June 2 at the Qinghai Provincial International Convention and Exhibition Center. 29 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China, as well as Afghanistan, Iran, and India Merchants from 22 countries and regions including Pakistan, Germany, and the United States participated in the exhibition.
On the same day, Afghanistan National Day was held at the Qinghai Provincial International Convention and Exhibition Center. Local businessmen and art performers from Afghanistan used vivid dances and national costume performances to let the people of Qinghai understand the cultural and artistic charm of Afghanistan.
Said Bilal Faruco introduced that Afghanistan is an underdeveloped country and most people are mainly engaged in agricultural activities. However, with the continuous exchange of international industrial and economic trade, Afghanistan’s handicraft industry has also developed rapidly. . Handmade carpets are currently the largest and most important industry in Afghanistan. Every year, more than 500 Afghan families produce 1 million square meters of handmade carpets. Afghan carpets have now been exported to Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States. In 2015, Afghan handmade carpets have occupied an important position in the international community.
“This is my fourth time to participate in the Tibetan Carpet International Exhibition in Qinghai, China. Over the past four years, it has not only brought me many customers, but also provided me with many business opportunities. Now I am looking for a suitable one in Qinghai. We hope to open a local handmade carpet store with Afghan characteristics and hope to officially open it next year,” Afghan businessman AliZabi Sedaqat told reporters. Zhu Xiaoqing, deputy director of the Qinghai Provincial Department of Commerce, said that Afghan handmade carpets have a history of thousands of years, play an important role in the world carpet industry, and are a symbol of Afghan culture, tradition and civilization. As Afghanistan’s main export commodity, handmade carpets are world-renowned for their soft wool, bright colors and durability, and are deeply favored by consumers in the international market. It is hoped that during the implementation of the “Belt and Road” development strategy, the economic and trade cooperation between Qinghai and Afghanistan in the specialty carpet industry will be further strengthened.
Said Bilal Faruk said that by participating in the China (Qinghai) Tibetan Carpet International Exhibition, they have achieved very high results. They will bring high-quality carpets to the exhibition every year in the future, and hope that In the implementation of the “Belt and Road” development strategy, economic and trade cooperation with Qinghai will be further expanded.
