The handicrafts industry is set to receive a financial boost to the tune of 500 billion rials ($14.5 million) in the next fiscal year (starts March 20), a deputy at the Iran Cultural Heritage, handicrafts and Tourism Organization said on Monday.
The amount is part of the ICHHTO’s proposed funding of 7 trillion rials ($203 million).
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 12th National Biennial Exhibition of Urmia Wood Crafts (February 14-22), Samiollah Makaremi said 60% of the budget will be allocated to developing infrastructure, including buying land for new workshops.
“It’s good to see that tourism, cultural heritage and handicrafts are gradually receiving the attention they deserve,” he was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.
The remainder of the budget will be used, among others, to train artisans and help craftsmen and women market their wares.
Iran’s handicraft industry grew by 11% in the March 21 – September 22, 2015 period relative to the same period in 2014, while exports rose by 36%.
The organization aims to turn the handicrafts sector into a billion-dollar industry, which is why special attention is given to Iranian crafts in the next economic development plan (2016-21).
The recent declaration of Tabriz and Isfahan as “World Craft City” by the World Craft Council is expected to help promote traditional Iranian handicraft, and by extension, boost tourism.
