Handicraft exports up 12 pc to $205 mn in May: EPCH

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PTI | 09 Jun, 2012
Despite slow demand in global market like US and EU, the handicraft exports from India grew about 12 percent year-on-year to USD 205 million in May, reports media.

According to the data provided by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), handicraft exports stood at USD 183 million in May 2011.

"There is an increase in demand from new markets like China, the Middle-East and Latin America," EPCH Executive Director Rakesh Kumar said. The demand, however, is still weak in the US and European markets that are witnessing sluggish economic growth.

The US and Europe together account for over 60 percent of the country's total handicraft exports. Among the items that registered maximum growth in exports in May were woodwares that saw a rise of 53 percent, followed by immitation jewellery 46 percent and shawls as artwares 32 percent.

In the first two months of 2012-13, these exports grew 11.3 percent to USD 432 million compared to a year-ago period.

The council expects handicraft exports to touch USD 3.2 billion in the current fiscal compared to USD 2.75 billion in the previous year.

Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur, Jodhpur and Narsapur are the major handicraft hubs catering to world markets, employing one million people.