Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov.4/ Trend F.Karimov/
Exports of textiles and clothing from Iran have increased 13 per cent in the first half of the current Iranian calendar year which began on March 21, compared to the same period in the past year, IRNA quoted Iran's industry ministry official Ne'matollah Mardani as saying.
The national textile industry has developed notably in recent years, he said.
More than 95 per cent of textile manufacturing units are being run by the private sector, he added.
According to statistics, the textile industry absorbs five per cent of all industrial investments, runs 11 per cent of the total industrial units and holds 12 per cent of the total industrial jobs.
In September, Mardani said that some of the state-run textile manufacturing units were closed down after privatisation.
Meanwhile, Mehdi Mahmoudi, an official at the association of Iranian textile producers has said legal and illegal imports hold a 40 per cent share in Iran's textile market.
In October 2012, Iranian industry ministry official Mehdi Eslampanah said that regional countries as well as South America are the main targets for Iranian textile products.
More than 9770 industrial units are working in different fields in this regard including textile, clothing, leather and shoes, according to reports.
Carpet, shoes and leather materials are among the textile product exports to other countries.