EPCH elects new chairman and vice chairman

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SME TImes News Bureau | 14 May, 2013
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has unanimously elected Lekhraj Maheshwari as new Chairman and Abdul Azim as Vice Chairman in its 136th meeting of Committee of Administration (COA) held in New Delhi on Monday.

Maheshwari representing M/S, Rajasthan Handloom & Handicraft Industries, is a leading exporter of handloom and handicrafts from Rajasthan. He has been associated with the Handicrafts sector for more than four decades. He has served in various capacities as member of the Committee of Administration, President - Trade Fairs and Vice-Chairman-EPCH. Mr. Maheshwari is also Director of India Exposition Mart Ltd, Greater Noida.

He is engaged since his early age in social services uplifting the poor population of the desert area of Barmer by providing them necessary guidance and assistance for their livelihood through various developmental organizations on State/National level. He has also served as a member of All India Handicrafts Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

Maheshwari expressed his gratitude to members of Committee of Administration of EPCH for electing him as Chairman of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, an apex organization for promotion of Exports of Handicrafts from the Country.

Abdul Azim, Member COA representing M/s Javaidbhai Pvt. Ltd., Moradabad has been elected unanimously as Vice Chairman of the Council. Azim is also President of Moradabad Handicrafts Exporters Association.

The exports of Handicrafts have shown an increase from Rs. 12,975.25 crores (2011-12) to Rs. 17,970.12 crores during the year 2012-13 showing an increase of 38.50 percent over previous year. The handicrafts export has surpassed the target of USD 3300 million and has achieved of USD 3306 million during the year 2012-13 - a growth of 22.15.

The New Chairman, Lekhraj Maheshwari said, keeping in line with the growth trend of the last two financial years it is expected that the export growth will touch higher levels in the year ahead.

He further added that in order to sustain this growth, the international marketing initiatives, cluster development projects, design and product development, new policy initiatives are needed to be pursued more vigorously.