TEHRAN – Iran exported $223 million worth of handicrafts in the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20), with an additional similar amount exported informally by travelers, a senior cultural heritage official said on Tuesday.

Farzad Ojani, director general of the marketing and commercialization office for handicrafts at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, announced the figures during a joint meeting with economic investors at the ministry headquarters. The meeting was held to review opportunities in the handicrafts sector and discuss ways to expand cooperation between state and private actors.

Ojani said one of the office’s main tasks is training and empowering handcrafters. “Granting national and international seals of excellence [to selected quality handicrafts], registering cities and villages as national and global handicraft hubs, and supporting artists’ participation in exhibitions are among our tasks,” he told participants, according to Mehr news agency.

He added that around 7,000 handicraft shops operate across Iran, in addition to permanent and temporary bazaars. Online platforms have also become important sales channels, he said.

Ojani noted that Iran leads the world with 299 recognized branches of handicrafts, classified into 18 groups. The country also has 14 cities and three villages registered globally for handicrafts, placing it among the top countries in the field, he said.

The official highlighted the strengths of Iranian handicrafts, including family-based production, environmentally friendly methods, high added value, and ease of learning. He also stressed that closer cooperation between the public and private sectors would boost exports and introduce Iranian handicrafts to more international markets.

“Handicraft products exported from Iran are well received abroad and have many buyers and supporters. With proper planning and private sector participation, exports can increase significantly,” Ojani said.

AM