Shipment of handicraft items from India has shown a marginal growth of 2.51 percent in the first quarter (April - June) of current fiscal, the apex exporters body of handicraft products, the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) told SME Times on the sidelines of a press conference in Greater Noida on Wednesday.

"According to the provisional data available the exports of handicrafts have shown an increase of USD 15.5 million i.e. the exports increased by 2.51 percent during April to June in current fiscal over the similar period in 2014-15," said Dinesh Kumar, ) Chairman, EPCH.

In Rupee terms growth was 8.81 percent during same period as the exports of handicrafts have shown an increase of Rs. 324.90 crores from Rs. 3687.05 to Rs. 4011.95 crores.

He said, "Slowdown in pace of growth is due to drop in global demand especially in USA and EU."

However he made clear that there was no major effect of Greece dept crisis on handicraft exports. "But it will affect us indirectly if the value of Euro drops further, which has already dropped somehow," he added.

Addressing the press conference on 8th edition of Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories show (IFJAS) Chairman, EPCH, Dinesh Kumar said, "The main objective of IFJAS is to invite foreign buyers to source new and innovative fashion jewellery & accessories from India."

IFJAS 2015 will have 350 exhibitors drawn from various parts of India including permanent marts of connected fashion jewellery & accessories products.   Over 400 product specific buyers of fashion jewellery & accessories from USDA, Europe particularly from France, UK, Italy, Spain and Germany are expected to source their requirement at this show.

Beside USA and European Union, buyers from Austria, Singapore, middle East, Africa, LAC will also visiting 8th IFJAS 2015 elaborated Kumar.

Describing fashion jewellery & accessories as one of the important constituents of the handicrafts exports, Kumar stated that IFJAS forms a part of EPCH strategy for promoting exports through specialized shows.

Exports of fashion and accessories have shown 26.47 percent growth over the past year. The exports of fashion jewellery and accessories has touched Rs. 3840.60 crore in the year 2014-15 against Rs. 3036.68 crore in the year 2013-14.  

The main markets for fashion jewellery and accessories are USA, Germany, UK, France, Japan, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Hong Kong, Australia, Italy and Latin American countries, he added.

Vice Chairman, EPCH, Rajesh Jain, President Fair K.G. Maheshwari along with Vice President Brij Yadav and members of Committee of Administration of EPCH Rajkumar Malhotra, R.K. Passi, V.S. Goel were present during press meet.

The dignitaries present during the press meet apprised the press about various efforts being taken by EPCH in improving the conditions of the primary producers, who are the backbone of the handicrafts sector.  

President fair and Chairman also apprised the press about competition India is facing from China even our products are much more better in quality from China.

Kumar said a special pavilion will be set up at IFJAS 2015 of products from each of six regions of India viz. North East, Eastern, Western, Central, Northern and Southern where primary producers from these regions will display their handcrafted products. An exclusive arrangement will be made for interaction between exporters and these primary producers for exploring possibilities of mutual business.

An exclusive Buyer-Seller-Meet of primary producers with buying agents and exporters will be held on 11th and 12th July, 2015. Secretary Textiles Shri S.K. Panda has kindly consented to address the participants of buyer seller meet.