TEHRAN - Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said on Saturday that the city of Anbaran in Ardabil province should pursue global registration for its kilim weaving tradition, citing the role of local women artisans and the sector’s economic potential.

Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri made the remarks during a visit to Ardabil province and a tour of the permanent handicrafts exhibition in Anbaran, which has been designated Iran’s national city of kilim weaving,

Salehi-Amiri said women weavers in Anbaran produce works that can be presented at international level and play a key role in safeguarding Iran’s intangible cultural heritage. He also conveyed greetings from President Masoud Pezeshkian to residents and artisans of the region, the report said.

The minister underlined that the people of Anbaran have helped sustain a local handicrafts economy through continued production and community participation.

He then described Ardabil as a significant region in Iran’s historical and cultural identity and said its heritage and capacities attract both domestic and foreign visitors.

Addressing challenges facing handicrafts producers, Salehi-Amiri said the government was focusing on securing raw materials and managing their costs, expanding domestic and foreign marketing, and resolving insurance coverage for artisans.

He said Iran recorded €224 million in official handicrafts exports over the past year, with an equivalent amount estimated through informal “suitcase trade,” bringing total exports to about €500 million. Under the country’s seventh development plan, he said, the government aims to raise annual handicrafts exports to €1 billion and help create 100,000 jobs each year in the sector.

He said the ministry would follow up on requests from residents of Anbaran, including efforts to seek international registration for the city’s kilim craft, which he said could position the area as a production and distribution center for handicrafts.

Anbaran was officially designated Iran’s national city of kilim weaving in January 2021. Ardabil province is known as a major center of kilim production, with locally woven flat rugs recognized for their colors, motifs and traditional designs and attracting buyers in domestic and foreign markets.

AM