The Minister of State for Textiles, Ms. Panabaaka Lakshmi informed the Lok Sabha through a letter that the government is interested to promote handicraft sector. It has already started taking steps to endorse Indian handicraft's brand image in the world market, she added.
These steps taken by the government comprise holding buyer-seller meets and seminars which creating awareness about Indian handicrafts.
Moreover, the publicity measures, such as advertisements in US and European print media, launching of website to offer authentic information regarding handmade carpets, participation in global fairs and exhibitions, organizing Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair twice a year and conducting thematic exhibitions, would also be taken up by the government.
Besides, the steps to safeguard handicraft items under the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Act are also being taken, which include registration of 33 crafts for their Geographical Indication under Intellectual Property Right (IPR) Act, informed the minister.
More than six million people are earning their livelihood through handicraft industry which includes women in a large number, and also the people belonging to the weaker sections of the society.
It is expected that country's handicraft exports would grow two-fold to US $3.4 billion by fiscal 2011-12 from a projected amount of $1.8 billion in 2009-10, stated the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India