Handicrafts Export Turnover Up 13% At Rs 5,629cr In 96-97

Handicraft exports registered a turnover of Rs 5,629 crore in 1996-97, a 13 per cent increase over Rs 4,980 crore earning notched up in 1995-96.

Speaking at a meeting of the parliamentary consultative committee attached to the textiles ministry here yesterday, Union textiles minister R L Jalappa said new schemes would be taken up during the ninth plan, including advanced training to master craftpersons, supply of modern tools to artisans, design workshops through crafts colleges and institutes like the National Institute of Design, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) besides developing computer-aided designing.

The plan would also consider opening of new common facility centres in crafts where capital investment is substantial.

The minister said that to sustain growth in the international market and boost exports, new techniques were being employed to enlarge the production base. A metal handicraft service centre has been set up in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme aims to upgrade quality in handicraft projects, Jalappa said.

Another project on the cards is in the jute sector. With UNDPs help, a project to design and market jute handicrafts is under implementation.

An institute of carpet technology at Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, would become operational soon. The institute would provide facilities like designing, yarn dying, fibre testing and colour testing among others.

The International Trade Centre, Geneva, has cleared a project for further development of wood-based handicrafts with the assistance of the UNDP, the minister said.

Jalappa also told the members that textile exports for the year 1996-97 had exceeded the target of $9.9 billion. Exports, however, are close to $10 billion till now. The growth rate has been 10.4 per cent in dollar terms and 17 per cent in rupee terms. Target achievement has been very high in the case of cotton yarn (120 per cent), wool (133 per cent), cotton fabrics (105 per cent) and readymade garments (100 per cent).

The minister told the members that as many as 94,000 people were provided training in various crafts and more than 10,000 new designs were developed for craftpersons. Further, 57 permanent sales outlets were opened through non government organisations (NGOs) to provide marketing facilities, and 104 craft development centres were set up in various parts of the country.

Sanat Mehta, one of the members, suggested that `Haat Bazars, on the lines of `Delhi Haat be opened in metros.