Currently 9,818 industrial units are active in Iran’s textile and apparel industry. They constitute 11 per cent of all industrial entities in the country and have created more than 2,90,000 direct jobs, accounting for 13 per cent of all industrial jobs in Iran.

Textile exports alone stood at over $620 million last year, registering a one per cent increase year-on-year. Textile flooring topped the list of exports in this sector, with a 45 per cent share. Iran is also known for handwoven carpets.

Iran is the 36th biggest exporter of textile products and the 90th biggest exporter of apparel in the world. Taking into account both textile and clothing products, Iran’s ranking stands at 59th. Iran imported textile products worth $1.6 billion last year. Taking into account equipment and machinery, the figure reaches $1.9 billion dollars.

Fabrics worth $500 million were imported –70 per cent more compared to the previous year. Other major products imported were fiber ($440 million) and yarn ($300 million). In addition, the import of black fabrics used to make chador (a full body-length fabric worn by many Iranian women) saw a 73 per cent increase compared to the year before.