West Bengal to set up 3 urban haats, export mart by 2011

The micro, small and medium scale enterprises and textiles department (MSMSETD) of the West Bengal government will set up three urban haats and an export mart by 2011.

The parks will be in Shantiniketan, Salt Lake and Durgapur and the export mart will be in Rajarhat.

“We are coming up with an export mart and three urban haats, much like the dilli haat, where the craftsmen will be able to sell their products almost throughout the year. There will also be a food park and craftsmen will be provided with living places, where they can stay temporarily. The craftsmen will have to pay a minimal monthly charge. The projects will be completed within the next one-and-a-half years,” said S C Panja, joint director, MSMSETD.

For the park at Shantiniketan, 4 acres now owned by Shantiniketan Development Authority (SDA) would be acquired for the Rs 4-crore project due for completion by 2010-11.

The project in Durgapur and Salt Lake would need 5 acres and 3 acres, respectively, with investment of Rs 4 crore each.

All three would be partially funded by the central government with maximum assistance of Rs 2 crore each, added Panja.

The Export Mart would enable exporters exhibit products. Though in a nascent stage, it could require investment of Rs 15 crore.

Panja said around 150,000 craftsmen in the unorganised sector required training and honing of skills.

The government was conducting training programmes through District Industrial Centres to train them and increase awareness about marketing of products.

The budget this year was Rs 17 crore for the handicrafts sector against last year's Rs 7 crore.

Narayan Biswas, West Bengal MSMSETD minister, said fairs were crucial to market products produced by craftsmen.

West Bengal Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd, called Manjusha, would be restructured to market handicrafts from the state.