TEHRAN- Iran's largest specialized footwear industry exhibition, featuring 700 brands, opened and commenced its work at the Shahr-e Aftab Exhibition Center on Tuesday and will wrap up on Thursday.

Javad Shabanzadeh, the head of the Export Committee of the Iranian Footwear Industry Association, stated on the sidelines of the exhibition's opening ceremony: "Holding the exhibition at this time was very sensitive and important, and we are witnessing its organization through the capability of Iran's youth."

He pointed to the presence of 700 footwear brands at the exhibition and said: "We are witnessing significant growth in Iran's footwear industry moment by moment, and this industry must always be supported."

The head of the exhibition organizing committee, emphasizing the government's comprehensive support for the footwear industry, stated: "Everyone must work together towards the vision of developing the footwear industry and its exports, and support production units with the language of demand."

Ahmad Shia, the head of the Tehran Handmade Shoemakers Union, also said on the sidelines of the ceremony: "This exhibition is considered the second largest footwear industry exhibition in the world with this number of brands present and active."

He added: "Officials should know that this industry operates as an active industry with an eight-thousand-year history in Iran and, with proper planning, can replace oil as an export commodity."

MA