TEHRAN - Construction of a permanent handicrafts marketplace officially began on Thursday with a ground-breaking ceremony in the city of Fin, southern Hormozgan province.

The ceremony was attended by MP Hossein Hashemi Takhti, Hormozgan’s tourism chief Ashkan Mokhtari along with several other local officials, CHTN reported.

“Construction of handicraft markets across the province is a considerable step toward supporting craftspeople and expanding new sales markets,” Mokhtari said.

Iran exported $280 million worth of handicrafts during the past Iranian calendar year, ended on March 20.

AFM/MQ/MG