TEHRAN – On Thursday, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani unveiled plans for the forthcoming [Iranian calendar] year, aiming to transform the handicraft sector in the Iranian capital.

Emphasizing the municipality’s commitment to fostering skills, production, and exportation within this industry, Zakani highlighted initiatives underway to prepare distinct infrastructures and allocate 23,000 square meters of land for permanent exhibitions.

“Next year will mark a distinctive shift in the handicraft sector within Tehran. We are preparing infrastructure for training, production, and exportation in unique ways,” Zakani said.

“The municipality of Tehran will support skilled individuals engaged in training and production of handicrafts, which ultimately contributes significantly to the nation’s economy.”

Speaking to CHTN, Zakani underlined the pursuit of a slogan – “Every Home a Workshop” - reflecting a path aimed at utilizing the city’s capacities for attracting, training, skill-building, production, supply, and display through permanent exhibitions.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the mayor cited the allocation of 23,000 square meters of land earmarked for permanent exhibitions aimed at bolstering various industries.

The roadmap unveiled by Zakani reflects Tehran’s commitment to harnessing its potential in the handicraft sector, promising a prosperous year ahead with a renewed focus on supporting skilled artisans and boosting the city’s economy.

As mentioned by the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, the value of Iran’s handicraft exports stood at $400 million during the first ten months of the past Iranian calendar year 1401 (Mar. 21, 2022—Jan. 20, 2023). “Compared to the same period a year earlier, the figure represents some 30 percent growth.”

At present, a total of 13 cities and three villages in Iran have been registered by the World Council of Handicrafts as “world cities of handicrafts”. The World Crafts Council is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that was founded in 1964 to promote fellowship, foster economic development through income-generating craft-related activities, and organize exchange programs, workshops, conferences, and exhibitions.

AFM