Handicraft exports likely to meet $3.3 billionn target in FY'13

India's handicraft exports are likely to meet the $3.3 billion target for financial year 2012-13, despite sluggish demand in western markets like EU.

These exports stood at $2.7 billion, according to the data provided by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

"We are confident that handicraft exports would be able to meet the target for 2012-13 as there is a good growth in the recent months. Besides the US, there is a good demand from from emerging markets like China, Latin America, Middle East and Africa," Development Commissioner Handicrafts S S Gupta said.

However, the demand is yet to pick up in the European markets, Gupta added.

He was here to inaugurate the exhibition-cum-sale 'Handicraft Month' that is showcasing a wide variety of furniture, carpets, metal crafts, woodcraft and pottery.

The US and Europe together account for about 60 per cent of the country's total handicraft shipments.

During April-January 2012-13, the handicraft exports have grown 22 per cent to $2.3 billion compared to the same period last fiscal.

The handicraft sector employs one million people.

Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur and Jodhpur are the major handicraft hubs in the country catering to global markets.