Rs. 70 cr to support Andhra artisans, small entrepreneurs

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SME Times News Bureau | 20 Aug, 2012
A total amount of Rs 70 crore has been contributed by the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, to promote and support the Andhra lace goods, artisans, weavers and small entrepreneurs, Minister of State for Textiles, Panabaaka Lakshmi informed on Sunday.

Speaking at the foundation-stone laying ceremony of International Lace Trade Centre (ILTC) in Narsapuram, Panabaaka Lakshmi said that more than 80 percent of the total production of lace produces in this region covering districts of West and East Godavari is exported to major world markets in USA, Europe and Japan.

She further said that Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) working under the Ministry of Textiles identified Narsapurm as one the mega clusters for setting up of an International Lace Trade Centre.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy laid the Foundation Stone of Rs. 15.33 crore International Lace Trade Centre (ILTC) at a colourful ceremony at Narsapuram in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

S.S. Gupta, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) briefed about the project outline of the International Lace Trade Centre.

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has been chosen as a nodal point for operation of this centre. However, the involvement of the local producing and exporting community will be necessary for day-to-day operations for future growth.

Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, EPCH mentioned that Narsapuram is an important cluster for production of lace products as it has large work force, artisans and craftpersons involved in crafting of lace products from centuries – skill obtained from generations to generations. Narsapuram is also important from point of exports as there are about 40 exporters in this area exporting predominantly lace products to countries like USA, Europe and Japan.

The EPCH is of the view that the International Lace Trade Centre at Narsapuram will pave way for development of lace products not only from the domestic point of view but also from the export point of view. More and more visit of buyers to Narsapuramam will expose artisans and craft persons to new designs, trends and techniques. Increase in export will also help in generating more work for the artisans and craft-perons, added Kumar.

A large number of exporters, manufacturers, artisans, weavers, designers and marketers deal in the products and business of lace and lace goods were present on the occasion.

The centre will have exhibition halls, meeting rooms, auditorium, craft bazaar, theater, office for designers, buyers accommodation etc. Needless to say that funds sanctioned for this centre will require deeper and closer involvement of the exporting and producing community of this region.

The EPCH has already set up successful projects for cluster development at Saharanpur, Moradabad and Jodhpur.

The EPCH is of the view that Narsapuram will be another success story and will be a centre of attraction for buyers sourcing lace products from India.

The exports of handicrafts rose to Rs. 2705.66 crore in the year 2011-12 and in the first four month of current financial year, the exports have reached to Rs. 4222.38 crore registering a growth over 30 percent. The export target for the year 2012-13 has been set as Rs. 15,500 crore, EPCH said in a statement.