EPAA participated in the 4th Annual New York International Carpet Show (NYICS) by setting up and
promoting Afghanistan: Artistic Interpretations business information booth, supported by BMZ/GTZ and in cooperation with US Department of Commerce. The booth included 16 carpets (selected and shipped to the show by EPAA) of varied sizes, cultural photographs, and contemporary fashion and jewelry. All items displayed were accounted for with their trader/company in a special catalog made for the show. The objective of the booth was to create commercial relationships between U.S. carpet businesses and Afghan
carpet traders, and sell Afghanistan as a positive image to the U.S./International consumer, and to show that Afghanistan produces unique carpets that can be finished in Afghanistan with proper investment to bypass its current dependency on Pakistan. This information booth was of its first kind to be present at a market link this one. Suleman Fatimie, President of the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA) was representing the Afghan Government at the booth.
The booth had several curious visitors daily who took interest in branding mission of Afghan carpets and other Afghan products. The Carpet Team distributed a brochure, which included pictures of the items in the booth and the contact information of the producer of the good. The visitors of the booth seemed very receptive to the project aimed to promote the identity of Afghan carpets into the international
market. Due to our initiative in highlighting the origin of Afghan carpets, we were also able to refer buyers to Afghan importers like Pacific Collection, Amadi, and Ariana, who also exhibited in the show. Further, many visitors who were carpet importers showed interest in having the samples we exhibited to be purchased at different sizes, and some generally had interest in having custom-made production of Afghan carpets, and wanted to know how they could get started.
Lastly, EPAA in cooperation with US Department of Commerce used NYICS as a recruiting ground for the Afghanistan International Carpet Fair Trade Mission taking place from October 26 – 28. Approximately 10 – 12 importers have expressed serious interest in participating in the event as a trade mission participant.
In summary, the show was well worth the time and effort as EPAA achieved its mission of: Afghan Branding, matchmaking for sales, source of information and matching for custom weaving and production, and non-competitive marketing as viewed by our US-Afghan importers.
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