TEHRAN – Iran’s West Azarbaijan has exported more than $37 million worth of handicrafts in less than three years, a local official made public.

“The province has sent 37,300,000 dollars in handicrafts overseas, from August 2021 to March 2024,” West Azarbaijan’s official in charge of handicrafts, Morteza Safari, noted in a recent interview with ISNA.

More than 2,000 job opportunities were created in the handicrafts sector provincewide over the past three years, he highlighted.

Mentioning the achievements in the field, Safari further pinpointed that the provincial artisans attained 25 seals of excellence since August 2021.

 “A notable number of training classes across various handicraft disciplines, aimed at enhancing artisanry skills, were conducted within the province,” he added.

In his final words, Safari pointed to the arranging of more than 40 handicraft exhibitions as a momentous initiative on the provincial handicrafts’ agenda for the past year.
West Azarbaijan province, located in the northwest of Iran, boasts a rich and diverse heritage in handicrafts that reflects its cultural and historical significance. 

One of the most prominent handicrafts in West Azarbaijan is carpet weaving. The province is renowned for its finely woven rugs and carpets, distinguished by intricate designs and high-quality materials. 

In addition to carpet weaving, the province is known for its textile production, including kilims (flat-woven rugs) and jajims (hand-woven woolen cloths). The patterns often carry symbolic meanings and are passed down through generations, preserving the cultural heritage of the region.

Overall, the handicrafts of West Azarbaijan province are a testament to the region’s rich cultural tapestry and the enduring skills of its artisans, which could also lead to the economic growth of the region.
XF/AM