The newly appointed Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Ms. Zohra Chatterji has urged the Indian handicraft industry to make efforts to sustain the healthy export growth rate.
Indian handicraft exports tapped a 39.3 percent growth in January 2013 as exports grew from US$ 178 million in January 2012 to US$ 248 million.
Exports for April-January 2012-13 grew from US$ 1,889 million in April-January 2011-12 to US$ 2,306 million, a rise of 22.08 percent. Inaugurating the 35th Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair (IHGF Spring) 2013 at India Expo Centre & Mart at Greater Noida, Ms. Chatterji said though the high growth rate is attributable to the efforts of the exporters, facilities and support provided by the Government cannot be overlooked.
The Central Government has floated many schemes for extending promotional support, infrastructure development, and welfare of craftsmen and artisans, Ms. Chatterji said and added that the Government is also planning to extend aid and infrastructural support for handicraft production.
She stressed that any growth in handicraft business, invariably leads to a rise in employment opportunities for craftsmen and artisans. This, in turn helps these artisans to reduce their poverty and upgrade their living conditions, and it is for this reason the Government attaches special importance to the sector and extends all possible support to back its development.
She said handicrafts have always held a high position on the socio-economic front, as majority of the handicraft items are prepared by craftsmen and artisans coming from economically and socially backward communities, and that too from remote areas of the country.
The IHGF expo this year has three main attractions - an exclusive pavilion set up by Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Development Board, a stall set up by Jammu and Kashmir Chambers of Commerce, and products from North-eastern states.
