Iran handicrafts exports hit $230 million

An Iranian official says the country's handicrafts exports have reached USD 230 million since March, Press TV reports.

Esfandiar Heidaripour, an official with Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHTO), said that the Islamic Republic exports its handicrafts to more than 20 countries including European and American states. 

Inlay, Kilim, pottery, wood furniture, hand-made glass and pendants were among the export items that brought revenue for Iran. 

ICHTO chief Rohollah Ahmadezadeh-Kermani announced In November that the rate of Iranian handicraft export had significantly risen during recent years. 

He also said that the number of tourists visiting Iran in the first seven months of the current Persian year had increased by 15 percent. 

“Despite the many obstacles standing in the way, around 1,800,000 tourists have visited Iran over the past seven months,” he stated.