TEHRAN – Iran’s handicrafts exports reached $190 million in the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2018), showing 11 percent growth year on year.

Exports of handicrafts fetched over $190 million during the first nine months of the year, an increase of 11 percent compared to the same period last year, said Ali-Asghar Mounesan, director of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, CHTN reported.

The official made the remarks on Sunday while visiting a major handicrafts exhibit in downtown Tehran.

According to data compiled by the CHHTO, Iran exported $237 million of handicrafts in [the Iranian calendar year] 1395 (March 2016-March 2017).

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.

Some 75 percent of Iranian handicrafts are produced by females, Masoumeh Ebtekar, vice president for women’s and family affairs, said in April, 2018.

AFM/MQ/MG