Lack of knowledge and business management is evident when it comes to handicrafts, Majid Reza Hariri, deputy chairman of Iran-China chamber of commerce has said. “This causes the shortcomings in the field to stand out even further.”
Hariri was addressing a conference in Tehran on the assessment of export opportunities from Iran to China, specifically in the field of handicrafts and related industries.
The official clarified that the export of handicrafts mustn’t be limited to the government. On the international level, those who make handicrafts are mostly small businesses owners, Hariri asserted.
“China’s economy is on the verge of change. The base pay rate in china is now three times more than what it is in Iran,” he said. The higher pay rates have resulted in a surge in prices.
In the past few years, China has focused on trade of electronics, technologies, and hi-tech gadgets. During a five-year period, China has a vision to more than double its imports. “Obviously, China’s imports will not be limited to energy and raw materials,” Hariri added.
“Iran aims to increase exports, and the changes in the Chinese economy could potentially provide a lucrative market where Iranian handicrafts can find many buyers.”
He stressed that Iranian businessmen must not export second and third-rate products to China. “The focus needs to be shifted to luxury items.”
Pointing to the merchandises imported by China between 2009 and 2012, the official stated that during this period, 33 percent of the manufactured merchandises have been exported to China.
Hariri told of long-term roadmaps for handicraft markets and stated that specialized exhibitions in the field of handicrafts are to be held in China.
