SME Times News Bureau | 06 Dec, 2013
The
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the nodal agency for the
promotion and development of handicrafts exports from the Country, is setting
up Special Pavilion in co-ordination of Indian Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia and
Artesanias de Colombia S. A. of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
of Colombia in the "XIX Expoart
esanias 2013" in Bogota, Colombia from 6-19 December.
The India Pavilion will be opened in the presence of R. V. Warjri, Ambassador of India in Colombia on the 06th December 2013 at the International
Exhibition Centre, Corferias, Bogotá.
India
is part of 18 countries selected to set-up special pavilions at this
prestigious event, the biggest handicrafts & artisans’ exhibition in Latin
America.
The
most important aspect will be exhibition of Indian hand crafted products
displaying product range of textiles, furnishing, fabrics, costume jewelery and
accessories, Kashmiri products and handicrafts, Christmas decorations, incense,
home decoration and giftware, furniture and fixtures etc.
17 Indian companies including the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India
Ltd. (CCIC) shall be displaying their product range which will be colourful,
ethnic and modern in designs, exquisite craftsmanship at most competitive price
and quality at this exhibition. Most
of the products will be for sale and also for order booking for future
supplies.
Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director of EPCH stated that the most attractive
component of this exhibition will be demonstration by the five Master
Craftsperson's (winners of National Award/President's Merit Certificate)
showing master pieces of Kinnori Shawls from Himanchal Pradesh, Zari & Silk
weaving from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Jaipur Blue Pottery from Rajasthan, Tie
& Dye on Fine Cotton & Linen from Bhuj - Gujarat and Phulkari
Embroidery from Punjab. Most of the
produce of the crafts persons giving demonstration at the exhibition venue will
be available for sale and purchase to visitors.
Handicrafts
of India have been known the world over for the exquisite and intricate
craftsmanship. The Indian Handicrafts industry has been contributing
substantially to the exports of India as also providing employment in the rural
areas as well as city. More than six
million Craftsperson’s are directly employed in the sector all over the
country. Many millions are indirectly employed by the handicrafts sector in
India in various aspects of manufacturing, processing, designing, packaging,
presentation, research and analysis, marketing, shipping and exports, he added.
The
main exports markets for India for handicrafts are USA followed by EU, Middle
East, Far East and LAC and Caribbean countries. Indian Craftsmanship, ethnic
designs and colours are unique and have no comparison with other countries. The
range produced in India is very large and wide and the quality and price
structure varies from high-end market, middle end market to low-end market.
India's
handicrafts are being sold in the developed economies of the world through
departmental and chains stores like SOGO of Japan, MACY, Bloomingdales, J.C.
Penny of USA, Karstad of Germany, Marks and Spencers of UK and many other
leading importers and distributors like Wallmart, Pier1, Carrefour, May departmental
stores, Gallerie Lafaiette of France etc.
The
Executive Director further elaborated that the LAC and Caribbean countries are
the potential markets for the Indian handicrafts. The exports of handicrafts
has increased manifold in previous years as the exports which was USD million
1858 during 2000-01 increased to USD million 3305 during 2012-2013. The average exports growth
in exports of handicrafts from India has remained between 15 - 16% per annum.
The exports through Colombia was of USD 3.15 million during the 2011-12 which increased to USD 4.53 million during 2012-13.
Indian
hand crafted products are already selling in Colombian markets made out of
metals, wood, textiles ranging from utilities items, furnishing and fabrics,
fabrics for dresses and garments, costume jewelery, furniture and fixtures
accessories, fashion made-ups and fashion accessories, decoratives, gifts,
paintings, embroidered products for daily use and many more items. The volume of business is not very
large. However, the share of Indian
products in Colombian markets has been growing slowly and steadily during the
last few years. The average growth has
been about 14% per annum.
Rakesh Kumar further mentioned that the objective of participating in Expoartesanias
is multifold viz. to promote Indian Art and Culture, hand crafts products
developed over the years predominantly, religion, tradition and customs and
skills beside promoting Indian Food, Indian Cultures & Tourism. It is hoped that the participation will be a
grand success in spreading awareness about various facets of Indian living,
culture and heritage product range available from India meeting the
requirements of Colombians and Latin Americans.
Another
important aim is to promote the business and create Brand Image of Indian Handicrafts among
Colombians about the range of products, designs of products, craftsmanship of
the products, eco-friendliness and quality and price, which only India can
offer because of its uniqueness. India
has abundance of variety of raw material bases, skills, craftsmanship,
eco-friendly colours etc. which makes Indian products quite different from
other competing countries.
It is
expected that participation in "XIX EXPOARTESANIAS 2013", Bogata, Colombia will
lead to a growth in Indo-Colombian Trade and Cultural relations.