Iran is revamping the garment and textile industry. There are about 8,000 production units across the country providing jobs to 2,60,000 people. Last year Iran’s garment and textile exports rose by 36 per cent and 25 per cent in volume and value terms.

Over the last few years, the industry has been going through tough phase owing to smuggling of garments into the country and sanctions that have badly hit the local textile firms.

Iran is imposing restrictions on imports. The country has taken measures aimed at renewing the country’s garment manufacturing industry, in a bid to enter international markets. Exporting apparel products to neighboring countries, including the CIS and, in particular, Azerbaijan, is on the agenda. There are about 50,000 apparel manufacturing units in the country. Foreign representatives, branches and distributors of apparel in Iran who seek business licenses have been mandated to produce goods worth 20 per cent of their import value inside Iran and to export at least 50 per cent of this domestic production. The initiative is aimed at increasing domestic production, creating jobs and reviving Iran’s apparel industry. Public interest in domestic products has dramatically surged over recent months.