Stimulus packages prevented decline of handicrafts exports-Texglobe

The two stimulus packages announced by the Government in December 2008 and January 2009 for providing relief to the exporters , has helped preventing the decline in exports of Handicrafts. As per latest exports data, handicrafts exports grew by 11% in January 2010 as compared to the corresponding period of last year . Thiru. Dayanidhi Maran said this, while addressing the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament attached to Textiles Ministry, here yesterday.

Thiru. Maran said that the stimulus packages through enabling policy support include: (i) inclusion of all handicrafts items under Vishesh Krishi and Gramaudyog Yojana with incentive of 5% Duty Credit Scrip on FOB value of exports, (ii) an interest subvention (i.e., discount) of 2% on Pre-and Post Shipment Export Credit for five labour intensive sectors including handicrafts, (iii) additional funds for exports incentive schemes and (iv) Government back up guarantee for exports through Export Credit Guarantee Cover of Rs. 350 crore.

The Minister said that in addition to the above incentives , all Handicraft items have been included as Special Focus Products in the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14 and Jaipur, Srinagar and Anantnag have been given the status of Towns of Exports Excellence to boost Handicrafts exports from these handicraft clusters.

With a view to provide technology, design and marketing support to boost production, Thiru. Maran said that a theme based cluster approach has also been launched in five areas like needle craft, natural fibre, tribal craft, festive decoration and Fashion accessories. The Ministry has proposed to extend the Scheme of Mega Clusters to carpet producing areas of Mirzapur, Bhadohi and Srinagar to boost the exports of carpets, in which the India is the market leader with a share of 30% in global trade, said the Textiles Minister.

Recognising the importance of marketing to enable the artisans to sell their products , Thiru Maran said priority has been accorded by the ministry to provide marketing support to handcrafted products to popularize them . In this regards , the O/o Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) has introduced Gandhi Shilp Bazaar throughout the country, where marketing events are organized in some part or other of the country every day. The Ministry has decided that henceforth Gandhi Shilp Bazaar will be organized in Metro cities every day to showcase the handcrafted products and boost the income of artisans, and calendar of Shilp Bazaar for the financial year 2010-11 will be released very soon, said the Minister. An International Craft Complex is being set up at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi to provide marketing outlets to artisans and for the first time a theme based sourcing show is being organized at Jodhpur in March 2010 to showcase furniture items, said the Minister. 10 Design Banks, 14 Handicrafts Museums and 23 State Initiated Design Centers have been sanctioned throughout the country