Meraas and Carpet Oasis sign three-year strategic partnership

Following the successful opening of the 24^th edition of Carpet Oasis on January 20 at City Walk, Dubai-based developer Meraas and the organising committee of Carpet Oasis at Dubai Customs have signed a three-year strategic partnership agreement.

According to the agreement, Meraas will host the next three editions of one of Dubai’s most spectacular annual carpet festivals, at one of its destinations – including Al Seef, Bluewaters, City Walk, La Mer and The Beach.

The 24^th edition of Carpet Oasis runs until February 14, 2019 at Meraas’ City Walk and is showcasing more than 15,000 carpets by diverse exhibitors from countries such as India, China, Pakistan and Turkmenistan, with a total value of AED1 billion. Fifteen Dubai-based carpet companies are displaying and selling beautiful carpets from across the world at reduced prices. Carpet Oasis’ singular collection of handmade carpets includes those from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Locally woven carpets are also given a dedicated platform at the festival.

“At Meraas, our focus has been to bring to Dubai the best that the world has to offer. Carpet Oasis is a one of its kind annual festival that celebrates not only the region’s timeless weaving legacy, but also the beauty and uniqueness of its craftsmanship. As the city evolves into one of the world most preferred tourism destination, we are proud to have entered this strategic partnership that allows us to host this unique and popular festival that attracts investors and Carpet maker from around the world,” says Abdullah Al Habbai, group chairman of Meraas.

“Carpet weaving is an integral part of Arab culture, and this legacy can be traced back to as far as the 7th century BCE. The beauty, quality and intricacies of patterns of the Arabic handwoven carpets have always been the stuff of legends, which is the reason they are coveted as collector’s items by connoisseurs across the world,” adds Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman & CEO of DP World, chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC). “Through Carpet Oasis, we aim to bring the world’s finest collection of handwoven carpets to Dubai’s discerning aesthetes. We are extremely pleased to collaborate with Meraas in this venture and hope that the partnership will extend the reach and appreciation of the festival.”

A festival that showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of rare pieces of handmade carpets, Carpet Oasis also holds masterclasses and talks with master weavers and other experts in the field. The annual event, which promises to be bigger and better than ever, is all set to fascinate and entertain not only tourists and families, but also interior design aficionados and collectors of art.