“Although Indian handicraft exports have been growing consistently at over 20% over the past decade, India's share in international handicrafts is just about 2%. The world market for handicrafts is estimated to be of the order of US $ 235 Billion. While China has cornered almost 18% of this, other major competitors of India include Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Latin American countries. Our immediate target should be doubling of India's share to 4%.
For this, India exporters have to make all efforts to improve productivity, quality, designs, packaging, presentation and marketing of their products. Besides, the potential of many States is yet to be realized and handicrafts of States like Orissa, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir and the North-Eastern region are yet to find a proper place in the export list”, the Minister stressed.
Among the suggestions that were received during the discussions included: strengthening major craft clusters and providing institutional support to existing manufacturers and exporters; design, product and technology upgradation; setting up of common facility centers; uninterrupted diesel and electricity supply; provision of raw material at international prices; expedite setting up of SEZ and single window clearance on issues concerning State and Central Govt. and interactive sessions between stakeholders on regular basis.
The Minister also promised all help to upgrade infrastructurein Moradabad which accounts for about 20% of India's handicrafts exports and is known as the “brass capital” of the world. He paid tribute to Moradabad's entrepreneurs who have carved out a niche for themselves in spite of inadequate infrastructure and other constraints.
He informed that he has asked IL&FS to carry out a quick study to identify how infrastructure can be improved quickly in Moradabad as has happened in another export-oriented town of Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu.
Press Information Bureau Government of India
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