Iran exported handicrafts worth $427 million during the 11 months to Feb. 19, of which official exports accounted for $237 million, according to Pouya Mahmoudian, deputy cultural heritage, handicraft and tourism minister.
The figure shows a 13.3% increase in value and an 8% growth in weight compared with the same period of the year before, she added.
“Suitcase exports of handicrafts by 20 provinces were valued at $190 million. The export objective set by the Sixth Five-Year Development Plan for the fiscal 2019-20 was $440 million; the 11-month numbers suggest a 97% realization of the goal,” Mehr News Agency quoted her as saying.
Mahmoudian noted that official exports fell drastically while suitcase exports came to a total halt in the 12th month of the last fiscal year (Feb. 20-March 19) due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
