Date:30/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/12/30/stories/2006123004770300.htm

Back Ministry considering handicrafts fund proposal

Our Bureau

Move aimed at doubling India's share to 4%

Finishing touches
Fund to cover aspects such as improving the overall product, designing, publicity, promotion, and marketing of Indian handicraft products across global markets.

THE UNION MINISTER for Textiles, Mr Shankersinh Vaghela (right), with the Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Mr Sanjay Agarwal, at the award function of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, in the Capital on Friday. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , Dec. 29

The Centre is examining a proposal for the creation of a Rs 1,000-crore fund aimed at an export promotion drive for the handicrafts sector, covering aspects such as improving the overall product, designing, publicity, promotion, and marketing of Indian handicraft products across global markets.

The Textiles Minister, Mr Shankersinh Vaghela, on Friday said the creation of the fund, a proposal for which had been submitted to his Ministry by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), would increase handicrafts exports three-fold over the next five years and had the potential to take India's share in the $235-billion world market from the current 2 per cent to 4 per cent.

Awards presented

Presenting the fifteenth annual export awards to 129 handicrafts exporters, Mr Vaghela said handicrafts exporters were earning valuable foreign exchange and generating employment, particularly in the rural area.

Any increase of exports of handicrafts directly resulted in increase of employment opportunities.

He said handicrafts exports had reached Rs 16,000 crore during 2006-07 and till April to November, 2006, they had clocked Rs 9,116 crore.

A total of 129 awards were given in 21 product categories, in each product group exporters were selected for trophies and merit certificates.

This year, 44 trophies, 64 merit certificates, 11 merit certificates for excellent export growth and 10 merit certificates on regional performance basis were distributed.