TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The 17th exhibition of hand-woven Persian rugs is to kick off Friday Aug. 22, 2008 in an area of 20,000 square meters (roughly 200,000 square feet) at Tehran Int`l Fairground.

“At least 370 suppliers as well as customers from 35 American, European and Asian countries are expected to attend this exhibition,” Head of Iran National Carpet Center (INCC) Morteza Faraji was quoted by press TV as saying. On the fourth day of the exhibition, a festival will be held to display the finest hand-woven carpets presented at the exhibition.

Iran is a leading exporter of hand-woven carpets. Persian rugs are highly sought out for their intricate design and skilled craftsmanship. The country produces about five million square meters of carpets annually of which 80 percent are sold in international markets.

Currently one million people are directly involved in Iran`s carpet industry. The country earned $750 million from carpet exports in 2007. The exhibition will run until August 28.

Khosrow Sobhe
www.RugIdea.com
310-770-9085