Iranian heritage bazaars .. Trade in the face of sanctions and other things

Muhammad Rehmanpour-Tehran

Thanks to its geographical location and the crossing of the Silk Road from it and its seaports to the north (the Caspian Sea) and south (the Gulf), in addition to its land and sea borders with 12 countries - Iran has a great role in the commercial level in the region since ancient times until now.

Perhaps the spread of ancient heritage markets throughout Iran to this day, has given a luster to trade in various Iranian regions, especially as it continues in its commercial work until now, despite its transit through many economic crises and tribulations until this moment.

Bazaars in Iran
Many of these markets have entered the Iranian National Heritage List as well as the UNESCO World Heritage List, the most famous of which is the Tabriz Bazar (northwestern Iran), which is the largest historical covered market in the world, in addition to the Isfahan and Kashan Bazar (central Iran), and the Bazar Wakil Shiraz Bazar (South) , Kermanshah Bazar (west), Tehran Grand Bazaar, as well as Qazvin Bazar to the north.

The technical official in the General Administration of Cultural Heritage in the Province of Fars, Siamak Basiri - speaking to Al-Jazeera Net - that the historical markets in Iranian cities are the backbone and economic pole of the city, as people prefer them over modern markets for several reasons.

Its services
In addition to buying and selling, the old people were interested in providing additional services of high standards for the convenience of customers and passers-by, in terms of providing seating places, restaurants, mosques, schools and hostels to accommodate travelers.

In quick comparison with modern markets, our markets today revolve only in the orbit of trade while lacking such high standards.

The vitality of the markets and their presence in the active areas of the city, has intensified the traffic in them to cross into the rest of the regions, and the unique architecture of the markets that it enjoys has affected the demand of people from every direction in order to see it.

Bypass US sanctions
Basiri adds that the heritage markets in Iran offer everything the family needs - including clothes, food, utensils, jewelry and handicrafts - at deliberate prices, because they are not affected by the sanctions because their goods are manufactured locally and do not depend on importing from abroad.

The role of the old markets in Iran was not limited to trade alone, but was a place to hear news and talk about life and community issues, so that many important political and social developments started in the market and extended to the rest of society.

In spite of the great potential enjoyed by the bazaars in Iran and their positive impact on society, culture and economy and their response to the country's crises, especially economic sanctions, there are concerns about the role of these markets and their continuity and ways to revive them in the future.

Environmental coordination
The economist Dr. Ahmed Rasouli pointed out, in his speech to Al-Jazeera Net, that each market around the world fits with the culture and environment of his society. For example, the framework and pattern of behavior of the Iranian people are compatible with the old markets because of their culture and mutual trust between the customer and the seller, as well as the quality of goods and their low prices met Large and continuous unlike modern markets.

Rasouli pointed out that although these markets are not affected by economic sanctions a lot, because they depend on the local industry, the rapid growth of civilization and high inflation in addition to corruption and the high number of intermediaries threatens the role of these markets in the future.

He added that the Iranian economy suffers from misuse of the state’s influence, as well as informal import and the proliferation of intermediaries who influence the alienation of the old shop owners present in these markets, as well as people's lack of confidence in the state and thus the loss of social capital, which is an important element in reviving these markets.

Social capital
Social capital plays an important role in achieving state projects, and therefore its loss will have negative consequences in all areas, especially in the economy and facing its crises.

Studies carried out by the Department of Urban Planning at the University of Turbit Teacher in Tehran indicate that there is a direct link between social capital and the revival of the economy of old markets in Iran, thanks to the relationships, climate of trust and dependence between customers and sellers in the bazaar.

Heritage markets in Iran have a major role in the lives of citizens, as they form a group of intertwined human tissues that are reflected in economic, cultural and social relations facing many challenges, and require long-term planning by officials, in addition to the need to preserve social capital to preserve its positive role at all levels. In the future.