INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN – Training courses in different fields of handicrafts are planned to be offered in prisons in Talesh county, the northern province
of Gilan, Talesh’s tourism chief has said.The courses are aimed to help provide job opportunities for the prisoners after their release as
well as providing an income source for the prisoners, Pordel Amirinejad explained on Tuesday. The courses will mostly be related to the
fields of the wood industry, including woodcarving, joinery, carpentry, and marquetry, the official added. Tourism ministry helps empower
inmatesIn October 2020, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts signed a memorandum of understanding with the Prisons,
Security, and Corrective Measures Organization to create jobs and make income for prisoners.The MOU also aimed at implementing special
educational and promotional programs, identifying talented prisoners, and improving their social status.The former deputy tourism minister
Pouya Mahmoudian said that handicraft products made by prisoners have been displayed in various exhibitions, and the income generated from
selling these products has been returned to the prisoners and their families.With 14 entries, Iran ranks first globally for the number of
cities and villages registered by the World Crafts Council, as China with seven entries, Chile with four, and India with three ones come
For instance, Shiraz is named a “world city of [diverse] handicrafts”, Malayer is a global hub for woodcarving and carved-wood
furniture, while Zanjan has gained the title of a “world city of filigree”.In addition, the ancient city of Shiraz has been chosen to
host the 39th General Assembly of the World Crafts Council-Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR) in May 2023
Shiraz has a remarkable amount of handicraft pioneers
With an average age of 70, some of these pioneers are still active at their workshops
The occupational records of about 100 pioneers are collected and are annually praised by the custodians of the WCC General Office.Available
data compiled by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts suggests the value of Iran’s handicrafts exports stood at
$120 million during the first eleven months of the past Iranian calendar year 1399 (March 20, 2020 – February 18, 2021), Mehr reported
The country’s handicrafts exports slumped during the mentioned months in comparison to the same period last a year earlier due to the
damage the coronavirus pandemic has inflicted on global trade.The Islamic Republic exported $427 million worth of handicrafts during the
first eleven months of the calendar year 1398
Of the figure, some $190 million was earned via suitcase trade (allowed for customs-free and tax-free transfer) through 20 provinces,
according to data compiled by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts
Ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven cloths as well as personal ornamentations with precious and semi-precious gemstones are traditionally
exported to Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, the U.S., the UK, and other countries.ABU/AFM
