The  Afghanistan carpet sector was left disappointed after the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA) failed to submit its entry for the DOMOTEX  Carpet Design Awards for 2018 at this year’s expo in Germany. 

The expo, from 11 to 14 January, attracted exhibitors from 80 countries. Each year, awards are bestowed on outstanding products in nine categories. 

However Carpet Export Union officials said although Afghanistan produces some of the best carpets in the world, EPAA failed to submit their entries on time this year for the awards. 

The officials feel this will have a negative impact on the local carpet industry. 

The annual expo brings together over 1,600 exhibitors from across the world that produce floor-covering solutions. 

Disappointed union officials said last year, Afghanistan scooped second place for its carpets at DOMOTEX. 

Officials blame government, especially the ministry of trade and industry, for its negligence. 

“Unfortunately, due to a delay in the works of Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan and the EPAA staff’s lack of experience in this regard, Afghanistan’s carpets did not feature in the competition at the exhibition,” said Qurban Ali Jamshidzada, the head of the Carpet Exporters Union.

They said Afghanistan qualifies for the criteria which includes carpets of good color quality, the use of natural raw materials and they have to be innovative. 

However, the ministry of commerce and industry said prior to the expo, the Afghan team was well prepared. 

The ministry’s spokesman Musafir Qoqandi now said Afghanistan was successful at DOMOTEX.  

“Undoubtedly, a number of our businessmen, along with the sale of carpets, have got some contracts which we can consider achievements from the exhibition,” Qoqandi added. 

DOMOTEX is one of the biggest exhibition of carpets in the world and is held in Germany every year.