TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy minister of handicrafts has announced that handicraft exporters will be exempt from paying value-added tax (VAT).

According to IRNA, Maryam Jalali Dehkordi on Thursday announced this decision during a meeting with handicraft artisans in Isfahan on Thursday.

Elsewhere in her remarks, the official emphasized that one of the key strategies to support craftspeople with the establishment of a comprehensive statistical system.

“This system is intended to identify prominent handicraft artisans and present this data to the country’s tax structure to facilitate tax exemptions.”

In conjunction with Handicrafts Week, the deputy minister visited Isfahan to engage with local artisans. Her visit included stops at historical markets and various handicraft workshops, where she met with numerous artists in the field.

Speaking at the meeting, Isfahan’s Friday prayer leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Yousef Tabatabaei Nejad, underscored the necessity of diversity in handicraft production to meet a wide range of customer needs.

Tabatabaei Nejad highlighted that handicrafts were the first work developed by humans, with most of humanity's early needs, from clothing to utensils, being met through handcrafted items before the advent of factories.

He stressed the importance of introducing handicrafts as an ancient heritage to students and the younger generation. “The new generation must become acquainted with their rich culture through handicrafts.”

Moreover, the cleric called for the establishment of a permanent handicraft exhibition in Isfahan. “Undoubtedly, it is our duty to protect our ancient cultural heritage because these artifacts are an inseparable part of our culture,” he added.

Of the 602 identified handicraft disciplines worldwide, 299 originate from Iran, with 200 of these from the historically rich and artistically inclined province of Isfahan.

More than 70,000 artisans are active in Isfahan’s handicraft sector, with 40,000 of them having been registered and documented over the past four years.

Half the World!

Isfahan, often referred to as “Nesf-e-Jahan” meaning “Half the World,” is a city that epitomizes the cultural and artistic zenith of Iran. With a history that spans thousands of years, Isfahan has long been a melting pot of cultural influences and a beacon for artisans.

Isfahan is famous for its decorative tiles, which combine geometric and floral motifs in a vivid spectrum of colors. These tiles are a hallmark of Persian architecture and are particularly prominent in the city's mosques and historical buildings.

Isfahan’s reputation as a hub for traditional crafts was further solidified when it was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. This recognition is not only a tribute to the city’s rich past but also acts as a catalyst for preserving these ancient techniques. The artisans of Isfahan, through their dedication to traditional methods and their innovation in new designs, continue to keep the city's artistic legacy vibrant and relevant in the modern world.

AM