Iran’s handicrafts industry grew by 11% in the first six months of the current Iranian year, (started March 21), according to Bahman Namvar Motlaq, the handicrafts deputy at Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ninth Festival of Persian Tribes and Culture’s opening ceremony in Gorgan, Golestan Province, the official said the figure factors in a rise in exports and sales in domestic exhibitions, which doubled compared to the same period of last year, CHTN reported.
“We produced at least 20 trillion rials ($570 million) worth of handicrafts, whereas our potential is double that amount,” Motlaq said.
“Official figures suggest handicrafts exports in the period topped 8 trillion rials ($230 million), but that does not include products that left the country unofficially.”
The most important problem in handicrafts sector is that many artisans are not covered by insurance.
“We’ve held discussions with the Social Security Organization to address the problem, and so far our efforts have led to 70,000 artisans receiving insurance,” he said.
The official announced that over 2 trillion rials ($ 57 million) have been allocated to the handicrafts sector this year, which are offered to artisans in the form of low-interest loans.
These loans will be granted to in-house jobs, handicrafts workshops in rural and urban areas and businesses dealing with handicrafts.
“We also offer consultation in branding,” he added.
Motlaq said Iran’s ethnic diversity is an asset and emphasized that it must be put to good use.
“Empowering Iranian artisans will help boost the industry and promote cultural security,” he said.
