Handicraft exports target may be achieved this year

To promote shipments, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts plans to organise a four-day fair

With growing demand for products in markets such as the U.S., China, Russia and Latin America, India’s handicraft exports are likely to meet the $4 billion target in the current financial year.

These exports stood at $3.3 billion in the last fiscal, according to the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) data.

“We are hopeful that we will achieve this year’s revised target of $4 billion as there is an increase in demand from western markets such as the U.S. and also from emerging markets such as Latin America, Russia and China,” Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts Executive Director Rakesh Kumar said.

Recently, the Textiles Ministry had revised the target from $3.8 billion to $4 billion.

During April-September 2013, exports of handcrafted items grew by about 11.27 per cent to $1.56 billion compared to the same period last fiscal.

To promote handcrafted exports, the council would organise a four-day fair titled ‘Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair’ (IHGF) wherein more than 2,600 exhibitors would participate showcasing a wide variety, including furnishings, decorative and woodware.