February 13, 2002
`19’
‘22nd HANDLOOM EXPORT AWARDS’
The handloom is now no longer poorman’s cloth. It has become rich man’s clothing and a large section of the consumers can afford to buy it. Speaking this at the 22nd Handloom Export Awards function in New Delhi, the Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Dhananjaya kumar said that handloom should adopt a distinctive trade mark. He urged upon the exporters that instead of depending upon the government concessions, the industry should be self reliant to face the challenges emerging with the phasing out of the Multi Fibre Arrangement by 2004. The important markets for Indian handloom exports are the U.S.A, E.U. Japan and Australia. Indian exporters are facing acute competition from other countries. Despite this the first figures of export of Cotton handloom fabrics and made ups for the year 2000-2001 have been Rs. 2127.45 crores as against Rs. 1891.91 crores in the previous year, thus showing an increase of 12.4%. He gave away awards to 80 top exporters of cotton handloom products for the year 2000-2001. Many of the awardees have doubled their turnover during this year.
Shri Dhananjaya kumar reiterated that Government is committed to save the interests of the 30 lakhs weavers and has taken up several schemes for the benefit of the handloom weavers. The Handloom Export Promotion Council is organising Buyer Seller Meets, International Exhibition and Fair, besides carrying an advertisements and publicity campaign in India and abroad. The Ministry of Textiles has already sanctioned financial assistance to set up training cum production centres in areas as diverse as Tamil Nadu in South to Nagaland and Manipur in North East. Under this scheme, traditional items like sarees are being diversified into exportable items like home furnishing which have huge potential for growth in international markets. Mr. Dhananjayakumar asked the exporters to find new avenues like women made up which definitely has a brighter scope for handloom sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri S.B. Mahapatra, Secretary, Minister of Textiles stressed that foreign designers should be employed for making handloom sector more attractive and popular. For improving the condition of the weavers, the Secretary suggested credit delivery system through co-operative structure so that they can supply qualitative raw-material in time. He said no wonder the beauty of handloom is diverse, every state has its own style and the exporters and garment manufacturers must exploit this diversity.
The Chairman of the Handloom Export Promotion Council, Shri Manish.K.Haria put forth some of the problems being faced by exporters saying that the recent decision of the European Union to extend special concessions to exports of textiles from Pakistan would pose problems for Indian exports. He requested Ministry to create a level playing ground for exporters to get a big share in the European countries. He emphasized that DEPB scheme should be extended beyond April 2002. Since the exporters are already working on low profit due to competition from other countries, the decision of the Government to phase out Income Tax Concession given to exporters under Section 80 H.H.C. needs reconsiderations.