Presence of foreign tourists leads to 40% increase in handicrafts sale

Sanandaj, Kurdestan Prov., Nov 23, IRNA – Handicrafts Deputy at the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Bahman Namvar Motlaq says increase in the number of tourists has caused 40% rise in the sale of handicrafts in tourist prone provinces. Speaking to reporters here on Saturday the official referred to what he termed “relative opening” in foreign markets for Iran’s handicrafts and said: “Our slogan is development in domestic and foreign trade and in line with domestic trade we fully support setting up of market places.” According to him in the field of foreign trade the private sector will be supported for participation in foreign markets or exhibitions. Stressing that Kurdestan Province can play a key role in foreign trade of handicrafts he said being situated on the border and having strong ties with Iraqi Kurdestan has provided a good opportunity in this province. He criticized customs delay in preparing and offering better statistics and on removing bottlenecks on the way of handicrafts exports and noted that insurance problems and lack of enough funds are among other difficulties. Namvar Motlaq further remarked that quality of commodities should be promoted and prices should come down in order to prepare the ground for further presence in competitive markets outside the country. Pointing to the closure of some handicraft workshops in the previous government, the official said so far active workshops have been supported but with the boom in economy closed workshops will be reopened gradually. He expressed hope that incentives for the exporters of handicraft products which were cancelled in the past will be revived under the government of 'prudence and hope.' Namvar Motlaq pointed to other forms of incentives for the exporters and said a sum of 300 billion rials has been allocated for exporters with outstanding exports in this field./end