The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is participating with 128 Indian handicraft exporters to showcase their innovative and eco-friendly products in three specialised trade fairs being held in Hong Kong during this month.
These three trade fairs include the Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the Hong Kong International Home Textiles Fair from April 20-23 and the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair from April 27-30. “Handicraft occupies an important place in the Indian economy and society.
The exports of handicrafts, which kept increasing at an annual average rate of 10-15 per cent till 2006-07 started declining from 2007-08 and 2008-09 due to the slump in the international market,” Mr Raj Kumar Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH, said.
However, with the help of a special package offered by the Government and also by extraordinary efforts made by the exporting community, handicraft exports started picking up from 2009-10 and have risen by 25.75 per cent during 2010-11 in dollar terms, he added.
“The main component of the marketing strategy is participation through specialised trade-shows held worldwide. With Hong Kong emerging as one of the important countries for marketing through the medium of trade fairs, EPCH has now decided to pay special attention to this growing region,” Mr Malhotra stated.