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Iran eyes handicrafts centers nationwide to boost cultural economy
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri called for the establishment of specialized handicrafts centers in cities across the country on Sunday in Tehran, saying dedicated venues for showcasing and selling traditional crafts are essential to strengthening the cultural economy and supporting urban development.
Speaking at a meeting with mayors of Iran’s major cities, Salehi-Amiri said the handicrafts sector’s most pressing challenge remained marketing and sales, ILNA reported.
He described specialized marketplaces and exhibition centers as a missing link in the value chain, helping artisans and craftspeople bring their products to wider domestic and international markets.
The minister said the ministry was also looking to harness startups and emerging technologies to expand the global reach of Iranian handicrafts, while pointing to successful cooperation with Tehran’s municipal authorities as a model that could be replicated elsewhere.
Salehi-Amiri said closer coordination between city administrations and the ministry would help safeguard historical identity, strengthen tourism infrastructure and advance sustainable urban development.
He stressed that heritage preservation must remain central to urban planning, describing the historical fabric of Iranian cities as a civilizational asset shaped by archaeological research and cultural evidence over centuries.
He also proposed a structured mechanism for resolving shared issues between municipalities and the ministry. Under the plan, discussions would first be handled at the provincial level by governors, heritage officials and mayors before being elevated to the national level for final review.
“Every issue can be resolved through dialogue, understanding and shared determination,” Salehi-Amiri said, urging the country’s major-city mayors to establish a regular channel for consultation and cooperation with the ministry.