Rs 70 cr marketing hub for Moradabad

Morababad in Uttar Pradesh is renowned for brasswork. Skilled artisans work on brass pieces and turn these into visual delights. There are about 600 export units and 5,000 industries in the district. However, the units face the all-too-familiar problem of marketing. To remedy this, the ministry of textiles has sanctioned Rs 70 crore to set up a marketing hub in the region.

“A Special Purpose Vehicle will be floated to develop a marketing hub in Moradabad,” said Bhupendra Singh, assistant director, office of the development commissioner, handicrafts.

The proposed hub will provide a meeting place for national and international traders. Besides strengthening the marketing network, the government is also working on providing the industry with a permanent centre for exhibition for their craft.

The centre, akin to the Dilli Haat, is likely to cover other districts in the state and is planned to be set up at Lucknow. The Lucknow Haat will provide a permanent place for the artisans of different states to showcase their products. Popular cultural and folk events will also be organised to etch the venue in public memory.

The Lucknow Haat project was conceived six years ago, but could not materialise, as the site chosen for it was classified as a heritage zone.

“A new location in the trans-Gomti area is being finalised for the Lucknow Haat in consultation with the state government,” Singh said.

The state government is setting up common facility centres. These will aid in increasing the efficiency of processes for these units, as most support systems will be available at a single place. A facility at Bhadohi, the world-famous carpet hub, is being set up.

“The centre would provide a common mechanised production and drying facility to the carpet manufacturers at Bhadohi to aid in mass production,” said Prabhat Kumar, joint export commissioner, UP Export Promotion Bureau.