Exports of handicrafts recover substantially in fy11

12 Jul '10

4 min read

The exports of Handicrafts, which had declined to Rs. 8183.12 crores and USD 1797.88 millions in 2008-09, had started showing signs of improvement in the later part of financial year 2009-10 and reached at Rs. 8718.94 crores and USD 1830.23 in millions. However, the percentage of improvement during the year 2009-10 was very nominal amounting to 1.80% in dollar terms and 6.55% in rupee terms. During first quarter of the year 2010-11 viz. April - June, 2010, the exports of handicrafts have recovered substantially as compared to previous year, said Mr. R.K. Malhotra, Chairman, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts [ EPCH ].

The growth in the first three months of the current financial year has been 15.45% in rupee terms and 22.81% in dollar terms. Although the increase has been by and large in all products categories, yet the increase in case of fashion jewellery and accessories has been remarkable. Fashion jewellery and Fashion Accessories product segment constitute costume jewellery, hand printed textiles and scarves, embroided and crocheted goods, zari and zari goods, shawls, stoles, bags and purses, belts, chappals and foot wear etc. On an average the growth in the fashion jewellery and accessories segment has been around 32% during first three months of the current financial years, Mr. Malhotra added.

India 's main competitors in the world market for this segment are China, Taiwan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia etc. The products manufactured by competiting countries are by and large machine made and very rarely hand crafted. As against this, India enjoys edge over these competitors in terms of exclusivity in design, workmanship, finish, colors and raw material etc. Indian products are predominantly hand crafted and not machine made, said Council Chairman.

Textiles Ministry urges social and Environmental compliances by Handicrafts Exporters

Smt. Rita Menon, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, speaking at a function organized by EPCH to facilitate producers and exporters of Fashion Jewellery and Accessories, who have made life time contribution for the development of these products lines, urged Handicrafts exporters to make compliance of social and environmental requirement laid down by the Indian and International authorities. The function was part of the Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories show held from 9 –11 July, 2010 at India Expo Centre & Mart, NCR, Delhi.

Smt. Menon specifically highlighted that there is a great awareness amongst importing community about the social and environmental issues and that buyers and importers particularly from the developed world like USA, Europe and Japan etc. have started insisting on various types of social and environmental compliances to be made by producers and exporters from India . These compliances are being insisted by the Indian and International Authorities. These relate to health, safety and environmental issues and also about use of hazardous and toxic material in the production of various types of products. Smt. Menon explained the need for compliance of these issues by Indian exporters so that future exports are not impacted and growth continues to be smooth and without hurdles.

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