The opening ceremony of the international carpet exhibition took place in Ashgabat on the eve of Turkmen Carpet Day. The organizers of the large-scale forum are the Turkmenhaly State Association and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. Representatives from many countries, including Russia, Germany, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, among others, arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the exhibition. They included scientists and experts, well-known carpet manufacturers, businessmen, top managers and representatives of major retail and construction companies, the World Association of Connoisseurs of Turkmen Handmade Carpets, the Humanitarian Association of World Turkmen, Stavropol State University and national cultural centres and guests from Japan. Foreign visitors to the exhibition held at the National Carpet Museum could not hide their admiration for classical ornamental wool and silk carpets, picturesque canvases and wonderful works featuring renowned Ahalteke horses. The exhibition showcased a great variety of tapestries texture made by masters and students of Turkmen State Academy of Arts. Turkmen craftswomen displayed a large collection of souvenirs that aroused admiration among visitors for the harmony of carpet patterns, specimens of embroidery and pieces of decorative art and patchwork made of glossy silk keteni which are distinguished for exquisiteness and original creative solutions. Wide cultural, trade and economic contacts with foreign partners play an important role in promoting the national art of carpet weaving and popularizing the unique qualities of handmade Turkmen carpets. Such partnership that successfully develops with companies from Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Greece, France and many other countries contribute to the fact that carpets make up a particular portion of exports from Turkmenistan to world markets. In 2014, Turkmenistan exported carpets and carpet articles of a total area of over 5,500 square metres to foreign countries. Close collaboration with business circles in the partner countries is growing and exploring new areas of cooperation. These include construction of industrial enterprises, supply of high-performance equipment to carpet factories, introduction of innovative technologies and programming. Participants and visitors to the carpet exhibition in Ashgabat represented the building contractors from Turkey, the Kabul Carpet Manufacturer and Exporter Association from Afghanistan, the carpet companies from Iran Solmaz Ak Ghala and Sonaye Gonbad, the Tibetan Carpet Association and the Kashmir Corporation from Qinghai Province of China and the Taiyo Yushi Quality Assurance Organization from Japan. The bright panorama of the colourful pavilions and the festive atmosphere of the international forum allowed guests to learn about the origins of the national traditions of carpet weaving and the rich heritage of the Turkmen nation. Industrial infrastructure of Turkmenistan’s carpet industry is being modernized today. New carpet factories are put into operation. In 2014, the carpet factories throughout the country manufactured over 42,000 square metres of carpet articles and about 15,000 square metres in the first four months of 2015. The opening ceremony of the XV International Conference of the World Society of the Association of Connoisseurs of Turkmen Handmade Carpets will take place in the conference hall of the Turkmenhaly State Joint Stock Corporation in the framework of the programme of the Turkmen Carpet Day celebrations on May 31. The ceremony of presenting state awards to the best workers of Turkmenistan’s carpet industry and a big concert of Turkmen artists will be held at the Ashgabat Cinema and Concert Centre.