Iran's handicraft exports to other nations is likely to post a robust year-on-year rise this year to reach US$ 1.5 billion by close of the current Iranian calendar year, Director-General of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) for Trade Ahmad Balan has said.
Mr. Balan further said that if the forecasts turn out to be positive, it would demonstrate a 300 percent year-on-year rise in the country's handicraft exports, which mainly target Asian and East European countries, FARS News Agency reported.
With their unique designs and high-quality, Persian carpets occupy a special place in the extensive list of Iranian handicraft items, and are highly popular.
Iran exported hand woven carpets worth over US$ 560 million during last Iranian year that ended on March 19, 2012. Noting that Iran is a major exporter of hand-woven carpets, Mr. Mojtaba Feizollahi, Deputy of Iran's National Carpet Center, said the country exports its carpets to over 50 countries, including Japan, Italy and Germany.
Recognized as one of the most unique expressions of the Persian culture, the carpet-weaving art finds its root in ancient Persia.
European nations, particularly, Italy and Germany, South and Central Africa, China, Brazil and the US are some of the key export destinations for Iranian Persian carpets.
Around 1.2 million weavers in Iran engage in the carpet making art to cater to domestic and international markets.
Around 80 percent of the five million square meters of carpets produced in the country each year are shipped to foreign countries.
