April 08, 2002
'19'
A TARGET OF US $ 1600 MILLION SET FOR HANDICRAFTS EXPORT
The exports of handicrafts (other than hand-knotted carpets) during the year 2001-2002 was to the tune of Rs. 6769.50 crores and US $ 1428.47 million. While inaugurating a four day Indian Furniture, Floorings & Accessories Show (IFFA) organised by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, in New Delhi, today, the Minister of State for Textile Mr. V. Dhananjaya Kumar urged upon the handicrafts exporters to improve quality of their products and achieve the target of US $ 1600 million set by the government for the year 2002-2003.
He stressed that the recent provisions made in the new Exim Policy and special recognition to handicrafts sector are a commitment of Government towards the cottage sector. Handicraft sector is one of the important earners of foreign exchange and a very large provider of employment in rural and semi-urban sector. The exports of handicrafts have already shown marked improvement.
Mr. Lekhraj Maheshwari, President, IFFA speaking on the occasion said that the fair would cover all sorts of furniture including decorative furniture, colonial & antique furniture made of rattan, cane & bamboo and crafted metal furniture. There is a special theme pavilion dedicated to garden furniture and accessories including garden umbrella, planters, marble and stone crafted accessories and a whole range of other products specially made for garden.
About 250 leading manufacturers and exporters from India are participating in this show. Indo German Export Promotion Project (IGEP) is supporting the fair.
The EPCH has planned to include a complete product group of the floorings and floor coverings made of coir, jute, cotton, silk & wool and other natural fibers. As per an estimate the world market of furniture, floorings & accessories is estimated to be worth US $ 12 billion and the share of India is not much despite country having large production base for these items. Indian Furniture, Furnishings & Accessories Show 2002 will be a trend setter in the organisation of theme based exhibitions in India.