Handicraft dealers get orders worth over Rs 4.4 cr

Handicraft dealers in Kashmir have received orders worth over USD 700,000 (about Rs 4.4 crore) for their products in the first two days of the four-day international buyer-seller meet here.
"Orders for Kashmir handicrafts worth over USD 700,000 have been booked in the first two days of the four-day meet. A number of samples have been requisitioned which will further boost business sales in the coming days," President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Sheikh Ashiq informed Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The chief minister was interacting with the delegates of Sixth International Buyer-Seller Meet, Kashmir Expo-2015, here yesterday.

Business delegates from as many as 21 countries including the United States, UK, Egypt, Palestine, Tunisia, France, Turkey, Germany and Indonesia are participating in the meet.
The Chief Minister told the delegates that the government would hold handicraft and industrial exhibitions on a much larger scale to able foreign buyers to see a greater variety of exquisite handicrafts made in the Valley.
"Exhibitions on much larger scale, in collaboration with Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and other stakeholders in industrial and handicraft sector, will be planned in future where foreign buyers will be able to see a greater variety of exquisite handicraft items made in Kashmir," Sayeed said.

He called upon the overseas buyers to be Jammu and Kashmir's messengers in their own countries.

"Seeing is believing. When you see things for yourselves, the perception changes automatically. Kashmir is a treasure trove of handicraft, heritage and natural beauty. I hope that you will love to visit this place again," the chief minister said.
The delegates thanked the Chief Minister for inviting suggestions for improving business ties so that export of hand-made products from Kashmir increases.
Some of the delegates appreciated the excellent quality of products made.
However, many others advised a new variety of designs so that their marketability in foreign markets improves.

A delegate from Indonesia requested the Chief Minister to organise similar buyer-seller meet at Jakarta.
Another delegate, Ahmad Tawakal from Egypt, described the Buyer-Seller Meet as a wonderful experience and hoped that it will create greater awareness about Kashmir Arts internationally.