INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
tourism chief has said.The course aims at providing job opportunities for the prisoners after their release as well as motivating them and
promoting handicraft fields as sources of income, Davud Abian explained on Wednesday.Prisoners should not fall behind in their skills
development during their prison sentences, as this is one of the ways in which they can be empowered, the official added.Last August,
training courses in a bid to empower the inmates.The courses consisted of practical workshops in the fields of leatherwork, traditional
jewelry, as well as cutting precious and semi-precious stones, she explained.The courses, which have been held by the experienced
handicrafts masters, are also intended to generate employment for inmates in the post-prison period and become a source of income for them,
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 next
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
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/MG
