According to Iran’s “Financial Tribune” report on January 21, Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Rahmani said that in the last fiscal year (March 2018-March 2019) Approximately $1.8 billion worth of clothing was smuggled into Iran, a decrease of 18.2% compared with the previous year, and imported clothing fell by 31% during the same period. Clothing production increased by 20% in the first nine months of this year. Rising production and continued decline in imports indicate that the clothing industry is booming and has the ability to meet domestic demand.
The Secretary-General of the Iranian Textile Industry Association said that 98% of Iran’s textile industry is owned by private enterprises, creating nearly 600,000 jobs, and the annual domestic garment output value is US$5.5 billion. Due to US sanctions, the textile industry will be in trouble if it does not adopt policies to restrict imports and combat smuggling.
