STORY: Afghans in carpet industry eyeing Chinese market to increase interaction
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 8, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 14, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:51
LOCATION: Kabul
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Afghans making hand-woven carpet
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): HAJJI SAKHI, Afghan businessman
3. various of Afghan hand-woven products
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): HAJJI ABDUL SATTAR, Head of Jawzjan's Carpet Producing Union
5. various of Afghan hand-woven products
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): SAYED SULIMAN, Afghan carpet seller

STORYLINE:

Afghan rugs are known for their quality and craftsmanship.

Rug traders in Afghanistan said China could be a lucrative market for Afghan-made carpets if more businessmen can export the precious hand-woven products to the neighboring country.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): HAJJI SAKHI, Afghan businessman
"I have heard that China has shown interest in enhancing trade relations with Afghanistan, and we desire that our products could be showcased at exhibitions held in China and we could put on display a new product."

Afghan-made carpets have been put on display at several sessions of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in recent years to attract clients. 

However, Afghan businesspeople said they hope more Afghan entrepreneurs could have a presence at the international fair.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): HAJJI ABDUL SATTAR, Head of Jawzjan's Carpet Producing Union
"China's interest in importing carpets from Afghanistan is a good sign for boosting interactions, and I am hopeful that China could facilitate the ways to increase our exports."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): SAYED SULIMAN, Afghan carpet seller
"We have exported at least 10,000 square meters of carpets and rugs so far this year, and a major part has been exported to China, and carpet exports to China have increased."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul.
(XHTV)