Kathmandu, December 4 Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today pledged to provide all possible support to the carpet industry, saying it had a huge potential to boost the country’s exports. Addressing the 26th Annual General Meeting of Carpet Industries Association Nepal, he said the carpet industry could play an important role in reducing the country’s trade deficit. He also pledged to leave no stone unturned to encourage and promote carpet production in the country. On a different note, he said that though some difficulties were seen in the implementation of constitution, the government would remove the obstacles and pave the way for economic progress by holding elections at all three levels. President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Suraj Vaidya, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kaji Shrestha and FNCCI Vice President Dinesh Shrestha expressed hope that they would receive support and cooperation from the government in the production and export of Nepali carpets. According to CIAN Chair Chhiring Sherpa, there are around 1,000 small, middle and big carpet factories in the country. They employ around 150,000 people, he added. Around two decades ago, carpets made up for 30 per cent of the country’s total exports. On the occasion, various people and organisations were honoured for their contribution to promoting carpet production in the country. The association also marked the 54th Carpet Export Day today.