Union Minister Piyush Goyal felicitates 126 Exporters at 23rd Handicrafts Export Awards
Handicraft exports can take a quantum jump over the
Rs 33,253 crore achieved in 2021-22: Goyal
Trade agreements with UAE and Australia are big opportunities for artisans: Goyal
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi is the brand ambassador of India’s handloom
sector as he is seen wearing some of the artistically woven clothes: Goyal
Artisans may be linked with Government e-Marketplace for promotion of their
products: Goyal
The handicrafts sectors needs a fresh, ambitious vision that takes it
new heights with ambitious targets, and the country should not be satisfied
with the 29% increase in exports achieved in 2021-22, said Piyush Goyal, Union
Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution while delivering the address at the 23rd Handicrafts Export
Awards Function here today.
Goyal said the increase in exports of handicrafts from 25,680 crore in
2020-21 to Rs. 33,253 crore in 2021-22 shouldn’t be the benchmark as the sector
has tremendous capacity to strengthen its export targets further. He called
upon the award winners to stress on quality, consistency, design and branding
to create an ecosystem where multifold increase in the sector could be made
possible. Citing a number of examples including that of solar charkha,
the textile minister urged the exporters to focus on innovation to drive the
growth in the sector.
He cited the rapid rise of Tiruppur, which had grown dramatically in
recent decades and said exports of handicrafts could take a quantum leap.
He emphasised that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is the brand ambassador
of India’s handloom sector as he is seen wearing some of the artistically woven
clothes. He said that during PM’s visit to other nations, mostly Indian
handicraft products are gifted. Similar practice is being followed by nearly
200 Indian Missions abroad.
Goyal said that the Ministry of Textiles has a database of 30 lakh
artisans and if we could focus on increasing the income of the artisan by even
Rs. 1000 per month, it could lead to transformation in their lives. He
suggested that artisans can be linked with GeM. Also, the mandatory clause of
GST registration could be worked upon so as to bring the artisans on board on
e-commerce platforms. Emphasizing the big opportunity created by Free Trade
Agreements with UAE and Australia, the textile minister suggested that the
artisans could be provided a platform in the Dubai Expo Centre for showcasing
their products and organizing buyer-seller meets.
He also complimented EPCH work for past three and a half decades to
promote & boost exports.
The award function recognises exporters for their outstanding
performance during the years 2017-18 and 2018-19. The evening saw a huge
gathering of India’s handicraft exporters from all parts of India along with Raj
K Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH; Vice Chairman, EPCH – Kamal Soni; Rakesh Kumar,
Director General, EPCH and Chairman, India Exposition Mart Ltd.; members of
EPCH’s Committee of Administration.
Goyal along with Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Union Minister of State for
Textiles and Railways gave away the awards. The occasion was also graced by Upendra
Prasad Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and was presided by Shantmanu,
IAS, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of
India.
Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Union Minister of State for Textiles and
Railways said that it’s significant to promote and support the artisans. She
applauded that EPCH through its exhibitions ensures promotion of small
artisans.
Upendra Prasad Singh, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of
India, congratulated the winners. He said even during COVID pandemic,
Handicrafts export continued to grow. He also emphasised that nearly 70 lakh
people in the country are directly or indirectly connected with Handicrafts.
Raj Kumar Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH informed that a total of 126 awards
were given to 61 winners of the year 2017-18 and to 65 winners of the year
2018-19. A special commendation award was also given. The Awards, instituted in
1989, are organised in four broad categories – Top Export Award, Product
Group-wise Awards, Regional Awards and Woman Entrepreneur Award together
totalling to 39 Trophies, 3 Platinum Performer Certificates, 72 Merit
Certificates, 11 Women Entrepreneur Awards and 1 Special Commendation
Award. The objective of awards is to create a sense of healthy and
wholesome competition amongst exporters. Over the years, these have become a
coveted recognition amongst the handicrafts exporters as more and more strive
to achieve a place in these awards.
Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH thanked the dignitaries for their
presence, encouragement & support and added that due to the pandemic, the
export awards function is being held after a gap of three years, hence,
honoured awardees are for two consecutive years.
EPCH is a nodal agency for promoting exports of handicrafts from the
country to various destinations of the world and projecting India’s image
abroad as a reliable supplier of high-quality handicrafts goods & services.
The Handicrafts exports during the year 2021-22 was Rs. 33253.00 Crores (US $
4459.76 Million) registering a growth of 29.49% in rupee term & 28.90% in
dollar terms over previous year informed by Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director
General, EPCH.
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has been organizing
Export Awards since 1989 to felicitate exporters who have contributed
significantly to the development as well as to the exports of handicrafts from
the country. The institution of these awards is said to be one of the vital
steps taken by EPCH.
The objective of the Handicrafts Export Awards is to create a sense of
healthy competition amongst exporters and to encourage wholesome competition
through the institution of such prestigious awards. The Awards have become a
coveted recognition amongst the handicrafts exporters and more and more
exporters strive to receive this award. The same has also led to the quantum
jump in the exports of handicrafts from the country.
The export awards are given based on the export performance of the
exporters duly certified by the Chartered Accountant and are selected by Export
Awards Selection Committee chaired by the Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts) or his nominee (Addl. Development Commissioner-Handicrafts) and
members of the Committee of Administration of the Council.
Five types of awards are given to the exporters of handicrafts based on
their export performance viz. Top Export Award (All Handicrafts); Top Export
Award (Product Categories), Women Entrepreneur Award, Merit Certificates for
Excellent Export Growth and Regional Export Award.