The traditional handicraft industry of Kashmir is a cultural representative of the state and can be called as a cultural industry, which calls for conservation along with propagation and proliferation, stated Chairman and Chief Executive, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Dr. Haseeb Drabu.
He was speaking at a symposium, 'Export Promotion of J&K', which was organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPHC) in association with JK Entrepreneurship Development Institute. He added that the artisans of the industry have witnessed harsh situations and survived many upheavals.
Export Promotion Council's involvement in Kashmir handicraft's promotion on a global and regional scale was the point of focus of this symposium.
Mr. Drabu further added that the artisans of this industry have not come out of the poverty, though others associated with handicrafts have grown. Hence the next generation of artisans is not choosing this culture as a profession, which makes it imperative to protect master craftsmen.
Mr. Raj Kumar Malhotra, EPCH Chairman said EPCH's collaboration with JKEDI will definitely help handicraft sector of the sate and it also will benefit the people in this sector. In respect of handicraft products, Jammu & Kashmir is an important state, where the handicraft products have huge export potential and can generate large employment.
EPCH will provide all logistic support to JKEDI for the growth of state's handicraft industry through this collaboration, added Mr. Malhotra.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India