TEHRAN – Some 75 percent of Iranian handicrafts are produced by females, said Masoumeh Ebtekar, vice president for women’s and family affairs.

The administration is following up on plans aiming to give women wider roles in tourism sector, Ebtekar added, addressing the closing ceremony of a handicrafts exhibit in the city of Mashhad on Sunday.

In addition to arts, tourism and handicrafts, the plans are seeking to empower women in IT and ICT arenas as well, CHTN reported.

Exports of Iranian handicrafts, excluding suitcase trade, witnessed some 70 percent year-on-year hike in the first nine months of the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20).

Traditional ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven cloths as well as personal ornamentations with precious and semi-precious gemstones are among Iranian exports to Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany, the U.S., the UK and other countries.

Dozens of Iranian handicrafts have gained the UNESCO Seal of Excellence during the past couple of years.

AFM/MQ/MG