TEHRAN – Iran plans to improve the necessary infrastructure at the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz which have respectively received the title of the global cities of handicraft and carpet, handicraft chief Bahman Namvar-Motlaq said in a press conference on Monday morning.

On September 5, World Crafts Council (WCC) has announced Isfahan and as global cities of handicraft and carpet following the investigations and presence of some international experts in Iran.

“The two cities have the capacity for title, however their facilities should be improved as global places,” he added.

He called handicraft industry a practical step to achieve sustainable development, distribute wealth and create jobs.

“Naming as world cities of handicraft and carpet is the first step to be a global center for these industries,” he said.

International airports, specialized banks as well as modern customs services should be provided in these cities, he explained.

The cities should have stock exchanges and commercial towers and be the center of exports of Iranian handicrafts to other parts of world.

He also named human resources, trained by masters in specialized academy centers and universities, as an important factor which can boost infrastructure in these global cities.

“The places will be target cities for migration of experts so security and economic stability are factors, which should be considered,” he added.

Tabriz will celebrate its registration as World City of Carpet during a ceremony on October 3 and the World City of Handicraft, Isfahan, will hold celebration on October 6, he announced.

President of World Crafts Council - Asia Pacific Region Ghada Hijjawi-Qaddumi, Masud Soltanifar, the chief of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicraft Organization (CHTHO), and some ambassadors are invited to the ceremony.

During the celebrations, artists in the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz plan to commemorate over 200 Iranian pilgrims who lost their lives due to the massive crowding that led to the deadly stampede last Thursday during the hajj pilgrimage in Mina outside the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

“Artists in Tabriz begin weaving a carpet in commemoration of victims of the Mina crush and some masters of engraving plans to make exquisite artworks for their commemoration,” Namvar-Motlaq announced.

---------- Other Iranian cities on list for World Crafts City title

He cited some other Iranian cities like Yazd, Zanjan, Qom, Kerman and Semnan that announced their readiness to be registered as World Craft City in next year.

Iran requested the registration of its two cities at the Asia-Oceania Summit 2015 in India and received near-unanimous vote from all the five continents.

Only six cities were nominated for global registration in 2015; however, for the first time, the two Iranian cities were simultaneously registered for their special advantages in handicraft and carpet-waving.

The registration is estimated to improve Iran’s tourism industry and can encourage tourists to visit the two cities in Iran.

The WCC President Wang Shan sent a message to Masud Soltanifar, congratulating him on the success.

PHOTO 1: Shopkeepers enjoy chat with each other at Tabriz Carpet Bazaar (Mohammad Nurmohammadian/makanbin.net)

PHOTO 2: A shop in Isfahan Grand Bazaar offering engraving artworks (mohsenbe/Panoramio)

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