WASHINGTON, DC -- Most Americans think about Afghanistan as a dangerous and war-torn nation. But US involvement in Afghanistan extends far beyond military engagement. The US Department of Commerce is  engaged in ambitious programs to help develop the Afghan rug business in the US.

The Department of Commerce's Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force (AIRTF) has been continuing its efforts to highlight and promote hand-woven rugs from Afghanistan through trade events, networking and capacity building training programs. 

The AIRTF recognizes the great potential of Afghan rugs and works with US companies to promote investment in this sector and enhance commercial ties with exporters, according to the Department of Commerce. 

The AIRTF has also expanded its efforts through its"Sheep to Shop" initiative, which provides a comprehensive plan that examines the integrated components of Afghan rug production and identifies strategies for success.  The components include ample sheep flock size for wool, dyes, weaving, finishing, finance, and transit, as well as the marketing of the completed product.

Throughout  2008, the AIRTF sponsored several programs that raised awareness of Afghan rug weaving arts and also helped the Afghan industry learn how to more efficiently conduct business in the US.

The AIRTF programs included efforts to help the Afghan rug industry with developing designs and offering training on shipping procedures.

The AIRTF works with the Promotion Agency of Afghanistan and the USAID's project, Afghanistan Small Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED).

In February 2008, the three groups worked together to mount a hand-woven rug and cultural showcase at the Las Vegas World Market.

The Afghan rug companies who attended the event in Las Vegas not only showcased their rugs, but also participated in a training program taught by Dinah Lazor, a professor at American University, to learn about designs and trends in the U.S. market.  They also received training on the Generalized System of Preferences and on shipping, which was conducted by specialists.

In June 2008, the AIRTF facilitated a grand-scale design training program in Kabul, which was conducted by Dr. Frank Petrella, a communications professor who is also a collector with immense experience in Afghanistan.  The program reached more than one hundred rug traders, mills, designers and weavers, according to the Department of Commerce.  Dr. Petrella also conducted a training module on international business practices. 

In September 2008, the U.S. Department of Commerce exhibited an informational booth at the New York International Rug Show called Afghanistan: Artistic Interpretations.

The booth provided information on various rug factories, distributors and rug associations.  It also displayed a collection of hand-woven rugs, along with jewelry, brochures and publications on the history of Afghan rugs.  "The exhibit was well received by show organizers and participants and roused interest from importers who asked how to get custom-made rugs from Afghan traders," according to the DOC. 

Most recently in October 2008, the AIRTF and four U.S. company representatives participated in the Second Annual Afghanistan International Carpet Fair in Kabul. 

The AIRTF met with and interviewed various rug companies at the event to learn about production as well as challenges to bringing goods to the international market place.  The AIRTF also met with heads of the rug associations to learn about the issues, advancements and progress in the Afghan hand-woven rug sector. 

"The U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its efforts to meet the needs of Afghan hand-woven rug producers and to provide and implement solutions that will improve Afghanistan's competitiveness in the global market," the Department of Commerce told Rugnews.com.

11.30.2008

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