EPCH mulls strategy to boost handicrafts

Handicraft exports saw average decline of 27 per cent in the first four months of 2009-10 compared to the same period last year.

“Handicrafts exports have been severely affected by less demand from its main markets like the US and EU due to global recession. The exports in April-July 2009-10 stood at 485.94 million compared to 668.61 million in the same period last fiscal, registering a decrease of 27.32 per cent,” EPCH Chairman R K Malhotra said.

“To achieve and sustain growth, we are taking a number of initiatives, including looking at newer markets, particularly those that have remained unexplored so far like the Latin American Countries, Africa and Middle East, besides capacity development and marketing,” he said.

The council is hopeful of finding a siezable market in these regions if quality, designs and prices are made competitive.

EPCH has been focusing on modernising the wooden handicrafts industry and photo framing technology that have a huge export potential, especially to the US and EU.