The Political Economy of Black Chador

Radio Farda - The production and trade of black chador in Iran raises complex economic issues, to the extent that the "Research Center of the Parliament" has dedicated one of its latest research reports to this topic. Fahimeh Khodr Haidari interviewed economist Fereydoun Khavand about the black chador market: Fereydoun Khavand: The report from the Research Center of the Parliament was published this May under the title: "The Status of Production and Import of Black Chador in Iran and Solutions to Overcome Existing Challenges." Those unfamiliar with the realities of the textile industry in Iran, particularly regarding black chador, might be surprised by this title and wonder how it is possible for a country with nearly eighty million people, engaged in nuclear technology and ballistic missiles, to face challenges in the production and trade of black chador. However, upon completing this 22-page report, readers will find that the black chador, as a cultural manifestation of the Islamic Republic, has become a heavy burden for Iran's foreign trade over the years. What problems exist in the production and trade of black chador in Iran? What statistics are presented in this regard? The report emphasizes that the production of black chador, considering the traditions and customs of Islamic society, has been a priority for the textile industry. Iran, having the highest per capita consumption of this product in the world, has activated several factories for its production, which, due to the lack of advanced technology, motivation, and the low quality of their products, have not met consumer expectations. Iran consumes 90 million meters of black chador fabric annually, of which only one million meters is supplied by domestic production. In other words, about 99% of the black chador consumed in Iran is imported, either through official channels or smuggling. According to this report, $50 million is spent annually on importing black chador from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and recently India. However, Alireza Haeri, the secretary of the Iranian Textile Industries Association, estimates the value of black chador imports at $100 million per year. Who benefits from the import of black chador? The Research Center's report does not address this issue, but Jamshid Basiri, the former secretary of the Textile Industries Association, has accused a political group, which he claims relies mainly on merchants, of having an active role in the import of black chador. It is worth noting that the ninth government, early in its term, significantly reduced tariffs and duties on black chador, as a "valuable commodity," effectively opening the country's doors wider to this product.