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EPCH seeks speedy growth in India's handicraft exports
01 Mar '12
2 min read
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), an apex organization of trade, industry and Government, sponsored by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India for promotion of handicrafts, has sought some measures to further facilitate the growth in exports of India's handicraft items.
In its submission to the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), EPCH said the growth rate of Indian handicraft exports can be further accelerated if the Government considers some issues.
The EPCH suggested that the duty credit of 7 percent currently being allowed on handicraft items be increased to 10 percent.
The Council also recommended that the policy of Deemed Exports be reintroduced so that the sale of handicrafts items to foreign tourists made in foreign currency can be considered as exports. This would enable producers to sell directly to foreign tourists visiting the country and boost their export performance.
Further, the EPCH said several more items need to be added to the list of trimming, embellishment and tools that are allowed duty free import. Adding new and latest items to the already existing list of 27 items that enjoy zero-duty import would enable artisans to produce more while improving the quality.
EPCH also sought the waiver of Service Tax in relation to business exhibitions organized by the Council in India, as these are exclusively B2B events.
Other issues raised by the EPCH officials during their meeting with DGFT include those related to the permission for import of samples of Indian origin as part of passenger baggage, credit card as export payment mode, withdrawal of increase in processing fees of certificate of origin for India's exports under GSP, and Port of Registration for making single consolidated application.
During the first 10 months of current financial year, India's handicraft exports grew to Rs. 899.212 million, showing a rise of 23.44 percent over exports worth Rs. 728.448 million achieved during the corresponding period of previous fiscal.
In its submission to the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), EPCH said the growth rate of Indian handicraft exports can be further accelerated if the Government considers some issues.
The EPCH suggested that the duty credit of 7 percent currently being allowed on handicraft items be increased to 10 percent.
The Council also recommended that the policy of Deemed Exports be reintroduced so that the sale of handicrafts items to foreign tourists made in foreign currency can be considered as exports. This would enable producers to sell directly to foreign tourists visiting the country and boost their export performance.
Further, the EPCH said several more items need to be added to the list of trimming, embellishment and tools that are allowed duty free import. Adding new and latest items to the already existing list of 27 items that enjoy zero-duty import would enable artisans to produce more while improving the quality.
EPCH also sought the waiver of Service Tax in relation to business exhibitions organized by the Council in India, as these are exclusively B2B events.
Other issues raised by the EPCH officials during their meeting with DGFT include those related to the permission for import of samples of Indian origin as part of passenger baggage, credit card as export payment mode, withdrawal of increase in processing fees of certificate of origin for India's exports under GSP, and Port of Registration for making single consolidated application.
During the first 10 months of current financial year, India's handicraft exports grew to Rs. 899.212 million, showing a rise of 23.44 percent over exports worth Rs. 728.448 million achieved during the corresponding period of previous fiscal.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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