CIS is an Opportunity for Handicrafts MSMEs: Santosh K Gangwar, Textiles Minister

The export of handicraft products had registered a figure of Rs 23,504.42 Cr in 2013-14. Now, Policy makers and Industry experts firmly believe that this sector posses great potential to grow exponentially. Mr Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, said in order to expand India’s handicraft market around the world, the sector has to focus on new markets of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and China.

“Indian Handicraft sector has great potential and the whole world considers Indian talent in handicraft as of the best. To increase the export and to surpass the target, it is important to focus new and emerging markets such as CIS, China and Japan,” he said at Indian Handicraft and Gifts Fair (IHGF) held in Noida.

The minister said that around 26.31 per cent of the total exports of handicrafts are being exported to the USA and 39.70 per cent to European countries.

Citing the need for government and the exporting community to act unitedly for the promotion of the sector, Gangwar said his ministry will support artisans led programmes in this direction.

Handicrafts sector is one of the largest sectors after agriculture in providing employment to more than 7 million artisans and crafts persons who are the backbone of this sector, he added. The 38^th edition of Asia’s largest fair is being organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) from October 14 to 18, 2014.

Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) SK Biswas, and member of Legislative Assembly Vimla Batham were also present at the event.

Biswas said the handicraft sector has tremendous market potential due to its workmanship, exquisiteness, eco-friendly nature, ethnic yet contemporary designs and crafts-persons.

EPCH Executive Director Rakesh Kumar informed that handicrafts exports have been growing on an average annual growth rate of 15 per cent during the last decade.  However, the growth during the current year was 30.80 per cent in rupee terms as compared to previous year.