IFP - A top Iranian official says the Islamic Republic exports $250 million worth of handicrafts each year.





�At the moment, the country�s handicrafts exports have tripled, and even inside the country there is a growing interest in handicrafts given the measures adopted,� said Bahman Namvar, a top handicrafts official.

�The handicrafts of every country are the first representation of that country�s culture for tourists, and, hence, are very important,� he added, according to a Farsi report by the�Mehr News Agency.

He said roughly ten percent of the turnover in the country�s handicrafts sector is associated with exhibitions, which not only serve as a forum for economic activity, but also serve as an opportunity to make the public familiar with handicrafts.

He said the handicrafts sector can bring in money and create jobs.

�Official figures suggest the country�s handicrafts exports stand at $250 million annually. With just $1 million in the handicrafts sector, we can create ten times as many jobs as we can with one million petro-dollars,� he said.

�Handicrafts have a very high added value, and this industry does not need contribution by foreign companies,� he said.

He said Iran has the most diverse handicrafts in the world, adding, �We should use handicrafts in our homes to promote an Islamic-Iranian lifestyle. We should keep this culture and cultural diversity alive.�