EXPORT OF HANDLOOM, HANDICRAFTS, AND COTTON

The exports of handicrafts including hand-knotted carpets have increased by 3.05% during 2009-10 in comparison to the exports of corresponding yearof 2008-09.   Due to absence of separate ITC (HS) codes for handloom products, the export data on handlooms is not available.  The Ministry of Finance have now notified the codes for handloom products.  The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics, Kolkata has incorporated these codes in the basket of export commodities. Therefore, the data for exports of handloom products is likely to be available in future.   This information was given by the Minister of State for Textiles, Smt.Panabaaka Lakshmi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

The Minister further stated that in the case of Handicrafts Sector, the measures include financial assistance for participation in fairs/exhibitions abroad; organisingIndian Handicrafts and Gift Fairs twice a year; organising Thematic exhibitions,organising programmes for packaging and export procedures, organising Buyer-seller-Meet and brand image promotion of Indian Handicrafts abroad.  As far as Handloom Sector is concerned, assistance is provided under the Marketing & Export Promotion Scheme for development of exportable range of handloom products and international marketing by way of participation in international fairs and exhibitions.

The financial assistance is not sanctioned State-wise.  The assistance is provided to the implementing agencies.  The details of financial assistance provided during each of the last three years for promotion of exports of handloom andhandicrafts is as under:

Financial Assistance provided for promotion of exports of Handlooms & Handicrafts

Export of Cotton

The Prices of Indian cotton (Sanker-6 variety) have increased from Rs.22,400/- per candy (spot prices) in October, 2009 to Rs.28,800/- per candy on April 16, 2010.

The Minister further stated the Cotton Advisory Board on its meeting dated 8.4.2010 has revised projections of cotton exports for 2009-2010 from 55 lac bales to 80 lac bales, Government has decided to have a carry forward stock of 50 lac bales from cotton season 2009-10.

The maximum demand of cotton in the current season has emerged from China/Hong Kong and Bangladesh, the Minister added

Export of Handloom and Handicrafts

The exports of handicrafts including hand-knotted carpets have increased by 3.05% during 2009-10 in comparison to the exports of corresponding year of 2008-09.   Due to absence of separate ITC (HS) codes for handloom products, the export data on handlooms is not available.  The Ministry of Finance have now notified the codes for handloom products.  The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics, Kolkata has incorporated these codes in the basket of export commodities. Therefore, the data for exports of handloom products is likely to be available in future.

The Minister further stated that in the case of Handicrafts Sector, the measures include financial assistance for participation in fairs/exhibitions abroad; organisingIndian Handicrafts and Gift Fairs twice a year; organising Thematic exhibitions,organising programmes for packaging and export procedures, organising Buyer-seller-Meet and brand image promotion of Indian Handicrafts abroad.  As far as Handloom Sector is concerned, assistance is provided under the Marketing & Export Promotion Scheme for development of exportable range of handloom products and international marketing by way of participation in international fairs and exhibitions.

The financial assistance is not sanctioned State-wise.  The assistance is provided to the implementing agencies.  The details of financial assistance provided during each of the last three years for promotion of exports of handloom andhandicrafts is as under:

Financial Assistance provided for promotion of exports of Handlooms & Handicrafts.