National Push to Revive Iran’s Handwoven Carpet Exports

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at a meeting of the Central Province Carpet Working Group, Zahra Kamani said a new wave of specialized activities has emerged across the country, driven by committed stakeholders with a development-oriented vision and effective institutional support. She described the movement as a coordinated national push to revive the prestige of Iranian carpets worldwide.

Kamani noted that one of the most encouraging signs is the growing number of well-organized, consecutive carpet exhibitions and specialized events being held in various provinces. Supported by provincial governors and executive bodies, these events have helped lay the foundation for a strong, unified national movement in the sector.

She highlighted Central Province as a historical leader in economically driven carpet production, emphasizing its centuries-old role in carpet trade and diplomacy. “When we speak of Sultanabad and Arak, we are referring to generations of export-oriented knowledge and commercial intelligence,” Kamani said, adding that this legacy can once again become a driving force behind Iran’s carpet exports.

According to Kamani, order-based production, the identification of new domestic and international partners, and adapting producers’ artistic skills to the evolving demands of global markets have created a new and serious competitive environment within the industry.

She added that Arak carpets, known for their authenticity and quality, are displayed not only in museums around the world but also in the homes of people across many countries, reflecting the cultural and artistic reach of Iranian carpets.

Kamani said the carpet value chain is gradually being completed, with modern, well-equipped factories moving toward renovation and demand creation. These efforts, she noted, are aimed at enabling Iran to capture a larger share of regional markets.

Referring to developments over the past ten months, she said a strategic approach has taken shape at the National Iranian Carpet Center with strong managerial backing. The formation of the Supreme Carpet Council and the activation of specialized committees—through cooperation with the Iran Chamber of Commerce’s Art, Handicrafts and Carpet Commission, carpet producers and exporters’ unions, and other associations—have created what she described as a powerful triangle of collaboration.

This round-the-clock cooperation has produced significant results in documenting Iran’s handwoven carpet heritage. Kamani cited the establishment of the Iranian Carpet Documentation Center, the compilation of an encyclopedia of handwoven carpets, and efforts to strengthen the sector’s digital reference authority. These measures aim to prevent cultural distortion and the misappropriation of Iranian designs.

She added that recording the oral history of carpet weaving and collecting the generational knowledge of master artisans are also key priorities.

In the field of foreign trade, Kamani said specialized negotiations are underway to remove export barriers. She emphasized the importance of resolving foreign exchange repatriation requirements, describing the issue as one of the main concerns of carpet exporters. The matter, she said, has been pursued in multiple meetings with the government and is now ready to be raised at the Cabinet level.

Kamani also stressed the need for active participation in economic and trade events, noting that such platforms could mark a turning point in the expansion of Iran’s non-oil exports and further showcase the international potential of handwoven carpets.

She said several regional carpet designs have the capacity for national and global registration. Preparatory mapping for these designs should be completed quickly, she added, with national registration possible by the end of the year and global registration to follow next year.

Referring to the 2017 Law on Supporting Artists, Kamani said the legislation offers valuable opportunities to support research projects and academic theses related to carpets. The National Iranian Carpet Center, she said, is ready to use this capacity to strengthen the cultural and artistic dimensions of the sector, despite the lack of funding allocated when the law was first adopted.

Kamani acknowledged challenges related to Social Security regulations, noting that while some private-sector demands face legal limitations, the center’s goal is to ensure that the voices of carpet producers and industry veterans are heard. She expressed hope that cooperation with relevant institutions would lead to brighter days for Iran’s handwoven carpets.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Baharvand, CEO of the Central Union of Rural Handwoven Carpets of Iran, highlighted persistent structural challenges in the industry. He said organizing insurance for carpet weavers, clarifying value-added tax regulations, and supporting access to raw materials are unavoidable priorities. “Carpet Exports”

Baharvand called for reforms to the weavers’ insurance system and greater transparency in tax regulations, noting that inconsistencies across provinces have caused confusion among industry players. He suggested Central Province could serve as a pilot region for the transparent implementation of relevant laws.

He also pointed to problems caused by the past issuance of non-specialized carpet-weaving cards to individuals in unrelated professions, which placed a heavy financial burden on the government and the Social Security Organization.

Regarding raw materials, Baharvand said repeated requests for foreign currency allocations to import silk and wool have gone unanswered. He stressed that carpet exporters already contribute significantly to the country’s exports and that proper banking support and production facilities could enable further growth across Iran’s provinces.