TEHRAN – Handicrafts exports from Tehran province reached $15.3 million during the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year, which started on March 21.

It exported traditional sets of glasswork, leatherwork, marquetry and woodcarving along with personal ornamentations, handmade textiles, semi-precious stones amongst others, IRNA quoted tourism official Mohammad Enshaei as saying on Saturday.

Tehran exported $62 million worth of handicrafts during the past [Iranian calendar] year while the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization has anticipated it would reach $75 million this year, he explained.

Germany, Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, the Netherlands, France, Italy, South Africa and the Persian Gulf littoral states constitute the main importers of Iranian handicrafts, he said.

According to data compiled by the CHHTO, Iran exported $280 million worth of handicrafts during the past year.

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

AFM/MQ/MG