Iran is hoping to boost sales of one of its major exports, amid crippling international sanctions. The United States stepped up economic restrictions after pulling out of an international nuclear deal with the country.
This week, hundreds of luxury carpet manufacturers and sellers are showing off their wares in Tehran. It's an annual showcase, but this year, the industry is lamenting a troubling sales slump.
Numbers from March show a 30 percent drop in exports compared with the same month last year. Distributors say that U.S. sanctions have pushed Iran out of the international banking network.
(Distributor)
"Even if customers want to buy a carpet, it is hard to transfer money. I hope this will be solved in the near future."
"The U.S. sanctions have seriously impacted the exports of Persian carpets."
Iran's centuries-old carpet sector is not only historic, but also a major economic driver. It reportedly employs 2.5 million people.
◆crippling （ある金額で）深刻な影響を与える、打撃的な causing so much damage or harm that something no longer works or is no longer effective
◆step up 強化する up to increase the amount of an activity or the speed of a process in order to improve a situation
◆pulling out of ～から手を引く
◆ ware 商品 things made of a particular material, especially for use in the home
◆showcase 展示（する場所）an event or situation that is designed to show the good qualities of a person, organization, product etc