The main problem of the carpet market is self-imposed sanctions
The head of the Mashhad Hand-Made Carpet Union said: The government has recently created a problem for exporters with its hasty and unprincipled policies, and that is the return of foreign exchange funds due to exports. Which has created deterrent conditions and doubled the problems of handmade carpets.
Regarding the impact of Corona on the carpet market, Hadi Makhmali said: Apart from the fact that handmade carpets do not have the same status over time due to changing consumer preferences, US sanctions also affect about 30 to 35% of carpet exports, and Corona It has also damaged this market.
He added: The supply chain of handmade carpets depends entirely on the fact that the markets are active and people can easily continue their activities in workshops and markets.
The head of the Mashhad Handmade Carpet Union, regarding the problems and obstacles to the progress of the carpet market, said: If the market is to continue in the same way, we will definitely face more severe consequences in the issue of handmade carpets, because we face many problems in carpets. One aspect is the high cost of raw materials and the other aspect is the measures taken to establish bans and restrictions to prevent the spread of the corona.
Makhmali pointed out: We are witnessing that in the Tehran carpet market and other carpet markets in the country, there is no more movement and former traffic, as if carpet is a secondary and luxury product and ideal living conditions are needed for carpet to find a place.
We need to move to digital markets and use the potential of virtual markets to maintain and dominate the market and not go out of business, he said, noting the need to use the Internet to create markets.
The head of the Mashhad Hand-Made Carpet Union, regarding the government’s hasty policy during the return of export currency, said: The main problem that has arisen in the carpet market is self-sanctions. The government has recently created a problem for exporters with its hasty and unprincipled policies, and that is the return of foreign exchange funds due to exports. The problems of handmade carpets have doubled, because in the field of handmade carpets, we do not have cash sales and it is very difficult to get a refund within four months.
Makhmali continued: The plan has been very good in general, but there is a need to make policies in the discussion of the return of export currencies appropriate to each job, especially in the carpet and saffron sector, so that we can manage the problems created by the corona. Reconsider this issue. The government has stated that there is $ 27 billion in non-refundable currency to the banking system, while there are fewer accounts of this amount, ie $ 8 billion or $ 2.5 billion.
Regarding the consequences of this plan, he said: When the deadline for the return of export currency is considered less than the required deadline, exporters, in order not to benefit from tax incentives and penalties, attacked exchange offices and somehow By increasing the demand for currency, they increase the price of the dollar.
The head of the Mashhad Handmade Carpet Union said: We expect that in order to support national production, this ruthlessness of the government will be abandoned and a facility will be created for exporters so that we can compete with rival countries and produce quality goods, not expensive materials. To make the manufacturer go to substandard raw materials.
Referring to the impact of Corona on carpet weaving workshops, Makhmali stated: Because the process of carpet production is a long process and it may take up to a year to produce a carpet, Corona did not have a direct impact on the producers and the bad effect it imposed on them. The virus can be marketed.
He pointed out: The main point that motivates the weavers is the weavers’ insurance, which is also seen in this year’s budget, but in the end, due to lack of credit, this measure was not done and the weavers are waiting for insurance.
The head of the Mashhad Handmade Carpet Union added: Of course, recently all rural weavers were insured for free for a year, which is a very good action, and weavers who refer to the union, this insurance is considered and introduced to them, but the facilities, benefits, It does not have the benefits and facilities that Social Security has.
“Goods like carpets should not be compared to things like petrochemicals in the export debate, because in petrochemicals, for example, the currency was returned before the export of goods began, but not in the case of carpets, Makhmali said.