'Govt taking steps to broaden marketing infra for handicrafts'

Highlighting the importance of marketing in the development of handicrafts sector, Union Minister Smriti Irani today said the government is working to broaden the existing marketing infrastructure so that artisans can sell their products even during weak demand.
"Marketing is another area which plays a crucial role in the development of the sector. The efforts of the artisans in producing high quality products will fructify only if they get adequate marketing opportunities so that they get remunerative returns.
"Therefore, we are working to broaden the existing marketing infrastructure across the country so that artisans get opportunities to sell their products throughout the year without having to face patches of lean demand," Irani said.

Addressing a ceremony of the Shilp Guru and National Awards here, the textiles minister said her ministry is working towards commissioning a national artisans portal which would serve as a comprehensive and multilingual source of information for artisans.
"The portal will also enable Pehchaan registered artisans to upload photographs and other information related to their products for accessing domestic and international markets directly," Irani said.
She said the Ministry of Textiles is laying major emphasis on creating infrastructure in the form of common facility centres which are equipped with latest tools and technologies where an artist can avail processing and finishing facilities near their place of work.

"The handicrafts sector provides livelihood to more than 6 million people in our country, earns valuable foreign exchange and plays an important role in the economy of our nation.
"It has enormous potential to further provide gainful employment to a large number of craftspersons, weavers-entrepreneurs in rural, semi rural and urban areas," Irani noted.