Carpet Oasis, organised by the Dubai Ports and Customs Authority and one of the major attractions at this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), garnered sales of Dh7.8 million ($2.1 million) and sold 1,500 carpets in the first 10 days of its opening at the Dubai Airport Exhibition Centre. 

As many as 2000 visitors turned up during this period for the exhibition that was to remain open until the 2nd of this month (February).
Abdurahman Eesa, head of the organising committee for Carpet Oasis, said he expected actual total sales at Carpet Oasis during DSF to reach Dh50 million and an equivalent amount of sales agreed upon between merchants, bringing the total to Dh100 million. The sales this year would exceed last year’s actual sales by Dh10 million, he said.
Carpet Oasis was launched in 1996 during DSF and in the previous years, the exhibition has featured premium carpet manufacturers and antique exhibitors from around the world. The exhibition has been growing in fame and is today among the well-known handmade carpet exhibitions in the world. “The quality of the products and the number of participants are testimony to the growing popularity of the event,” said Eesa.
“Carpet Oasis features 150 local, regional, and international handmade carpet manufacturers with about 150,000 pieces of exquisite carpets made of wool, silk, and other premium materials showcased for visitors,” he added.
The area of the exhibition and the number of products exhibited have also increased during the years. The exhibition covers 12,000 sq m and contains 150,000 carpets from around the world including products from Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Eastern Europe. The total value of the exhibits is Dh1 billion, said Eesa.
Like all major exhibitions, Carpet Oasis is a centre for making trade deals and in previous years sales have reached Dh90 million in addition to deals made between merchants and clients at the end of DSF. The exhibition attracts thousands of visitors every year who are keen on buying beautifully woven carpets from different regions of the world.
The carpets exhibited in the expo are of superior quality and include luxurious handmade items from Isfahan, Kum, Naeem, Hamdan, and Tabreez in addition to the Hareeqi, Indian, Afghani, and Pakistani ones. The handmade rugs feature designs that reflect the culture and tradition of each region.