“This success was achieved at a time when entrepreneurs in the textile, apparel, and leather industries were facing lots of problems in the previous year due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the sanctions, and, more importantly, the problems regarding the supply of raw materials,” Javad Hosseini-Khah said.
Underlining the potentials and capacities of the mentioned industries in the country, Hosseini-Khah called on the government to provide the necessary support for them in order to pave the way for further development and growth in this sector.
According to Hosseini-Khah, one of the major factors that have contributed to the success of the clothing industry in the country over the past two years has been the ban on the imports of foreign products and the restrictions imposed on the smuggling of such products.
“In recent years, smugglers have come to the conclusion that importing clothing items through smuggling is no longer profitable for them,” he said.
The official noted that the outbreak of the coronavirus and the travel restrictions were other events that minimised the import of clothing and leather products through luggage imports, which consequently increased demand in the consumer sector leading to the development of domestic production.
“If we want to compete at least in the markets of neighbouring countries, we must put the improvement of effective indicators on the agenda and allocate large investments in this field,” Hosseini-Khah said.
Iranian producers exported over $40 million worth of garments during the first seven months of the last calendar year, according to the chairman of the Iran Textile Exporters and Manufacturers Association (ITEMA). Majid Nami said the ban on foreign brands import and the closure of borders due to the spread of the coronavirus and the reduction of smuggled garments have contributed to this success.
