More Oriental Rug Notes by Barry O'Connell

The Grand Carpet Exhibition at the Tehran International Fair Ground

15th Persian Carpet Grand Exhibition in Tehran

23 May 2006 - Announcement from Iran Carpet Company:

Iran Carpet Company , in cooperation with the Iran National Carpet Centre and Iranian Carpet Exporters Association, will hold the 15th Persian Carpet Grand Exhibition in Tehran International Fair Ground from August 23 to 29, 2006.

"The exhibition will focus on the export and foreign sales aspects of Iranian carpet. The Iranian producers and exporters will provide the visitors and Persian carpet lovers from around the world with the finest and most beautiful carpets from different regions of Iran.This unique commercial and cultural event will bring producers, exporters and buyers closer together" says Mr. Yazdi from Iran Carpet Company.

"The quality of carpets displayed in this fair will be the main focus of attention.The organizer will do its best to provide all the visitors with necessary facilities and services such as entry visa, reservation of hotel accommodation, tours, etc. All lovers of handmade carpets are invited to visit 15th Persian Carpet Grand Exhibition".

Contact information: Mr. Yazdi info@irancarpet.ir Tl:++98 21 88908715, Fax:++98 21 88906059

Iran's Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari opening the 13th annual Grand Carpet Exhibition at the Tehran International Fair Ground.

Mohammad Seirafian

While it can be fun to see the government officials the show is really about the rugs. One of the highlights of my visit to the Grand Carpet Exhibition at the Tehran International Fair Ground was meeting Mohammad Seirafian

My host and friend Mr. Ali Karimi (former) managing director of Iran Carpet Company

I saw something at the Forum on Trade at the carpet exhibition that really impressed me about Mr. Ali Karimi. There was a discussion forum in which Mr. Karimi participated. The discussion was on how to better Iran's market position in the Carpet trade. Mr. Karimi quite forcefully reacted to a suggestion about how to structure production. His objection was not market driven and not made in self interest, he reacted as he did because it was not in the best interests of either the weavers or the small towns and villages where they work. He placed the women who weave the rugs before profit or anything else. That is the way that Mr. Karimi ran ICC, for the benefit of the weavers.

Mehrabad Airport Tehran

Visiting Tehran Iran for the first time was oddly like going home and seeing family. The people are so warm and friendly and even more so when they realized that I was American. From the men at Passport control to the people at the hotel the welcome was uniformly friendly. I was met at the airport by Mr Gharooni from Iran Carpet Company. ICC is the biggest carpet company in the world and the men they sent were most proper and correct.

I stayed at the 5 star Esteghlal Hotel on Chamran Highway on the north side of Tehran. Formerly the Hilton the Esteghlal is a very comfortable, well appointed hotel run by Mr. Abbas Shirian. From the courteous staff to the clean comfortable room it was what I expected in a good western style hotel. But little touches like the fruit and fresh cut flowers made it exceptionable.

The hotel is very close to the Tehran International Fair Ground where the 13th Annual Carpet Exhibition was held.

Mr. Arabsorkhi, Deputy Minister of Commerce and the head of newly established " Iran Carpet Center", Minister of Commerce Shariatmadari and Mr. Ali Karimi Of Iran Carpet Co. and Mr. Hassan Parvisian, a Tabriz carpet producer

Mr. Yazdi (left) of Iran Carpet Company and Dr. Shahram Sheibat (right).

Mr. Yazdi has been a great help to me over a period of time both in Kish and in Tehran. he is a fine man. Dr. Sheibat is a new friend but I look forward to seeing more of him again. Dr. Sheibat was a great help in translating both my speech and a number of talks with Mr. Ali Karimi and his Excellency Arabsorkhi.

Mr. Hossein Soltani, the Deputy to the Iran Export Promotion Center (the Deputy to Mr. Khosrowtaj who is the Deputy Commerce Minister and the head of EPCI).

I had a nice chance to speak with Mr. Soltani.