Area Rugs Sales Success at Major Trade Show

A delegation of 10 Afghan rug producers, with the support of the Department of Commerce’s Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force, brought their products to Atlanta, Georgia, on January 18–21, 2007, to participate in the AmericasMart Atlanta International Area Rug Show. The trade show is the largest wholesale marketplace of its kind in the world, showcasing a wide variety of consumer goods and attracting more than 548,000 attendees from every U.S. state and 80 different countries.

A feature of the Atlanta show was a special exhibit of Afghan rugs, titled “Afghan Impressions: Area Rug Artistry and Inspiration.” Keynote speakers for the exhibit opening included Dr. Mir Muhammad Amin Farhang, Afghan minister of commerce and industries, and David Sampson, U.S. deputy secretary of commerce. They delivered remarks to an audience of more than 200 prospective buyers, prominent sector investors, and community and government leaders.

The trade show was a success for the Afghan participants. Virtually all of the rugs on display were sold, and many orders were placed by major wholesalers and retailers from across the United States.

The task force has been working since 2002 to increase bilateral business ties and to stimulate trade between the United States and Afghanistan. Two-way trade between the countries reached $372 million in 2006, a 91 percent increase over 2005. Afghan rugs are allowed duty-free access to the United States.