Indian zari and zari products are increasingly used in the outfits of US and Europe with upswing in exports.
Western women preferring zari work are also interested in local imitation jewellery as per statistics of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).
If consumers from US and Europe can interact with country's artisans, these handicrafts could be promoted further according to Executive Director Rakesh Kumar. He has requested Government to finance travel expenses of artisans to foreign countries.
Zari exports to American markets went up 82 percent to Rs94.79 crores in 2005-06 from Rs52 crores in 2004-05, while export of imitation jewellery rose 78 percent to Rs73.84 crores in 2005-06 from Rs41.36 crores in 2004-05 due to heavy demand.
Zari exports to Italy grew 31.5 percent to Rs24.46 crores in 2005-06 from Rs18.6 crores in 2004-05, while that to UK increased 26.9 percent to Rs64.05 crores in 2005-06 from Rs50.47 crores in 2004-05.
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