UK business fears for Afghan rug weavers after Taliban takeover

British businessman James Wilthew has built up close ties with Afghan rug weavers and sellers, buying the sought-after carpets directly from the northern provinces, where the industry is traditionally based.
The ex-serviceman sells the carpets at his shop in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire in northern England and estimates that his company, The Afghan Rug Shop, supports about 200 families.
A share of the proceeds goes to Afghanaid, a British charity supporting people in Afghanistan.
He said he was frustrated by the British government's response, despite an emotive emergency debate on the crisis in parliament and urgent calls for help.
The uncertainty and chaos since the return of the hardline Islamists was "a temporary issue", said Wilthew.
"Under the Taliban regime, that trade will continue, they need the tax from these businesses and the employment," he added.
"It's their export commodity, it's how they make an income."
Most Afghan carpets are exported via neighboring Pakistan, but Wilthew is unusual in dealing directly with artisans and traders inside the country.
That could force him to change his business model, possibly using a middleman in Pakistan, and switching from US dollars if the greenback is banned in Afghanistan. 
He is also unlikely to be able to continue using international shipping and delivery companies DHL and FedEx for delivery, he added.
"Acquiring rugs from Afghanistan is not a concern for me. It's not an issue, the issue is my friends," he said.

Textiles are by far the most significant Afghan import to the UK, worth some £2.4 million ($3.3 million) per year, government figures show.
The ancient carpet trade existed under the previous Taliban regime, which ruled Afghanistan with an iron fist from 1996 until they were ousted in the US-led invasion in 2001.