The Kerala Artisans' Development Corp Ltd (KADCO) has bagged export orders valued at Rs.5 million from a Cyprus-based company for Kerala-made fashion jewellery and accessories.
The order comes as a huge boost to KADCO, a government undertaking which for three decades has sought to support traditional artisans and promote Kerala's indigenous handicrafts globally.
KADCO has already met an order placed by the Cyprus-based firm for 50 items including earrings, bangles and necklaces made of paper and terracotta valued Rs.2.5 million.
KADCO expects to export the entire jewellery by March next year.
The rising overseas interest for Kerala-made fancy jewellery and accessories will especially benefit women artisans, said KADCO chairman K. Purushothaman.
"We have been focusing strongly on training women artisans to help them expand their business overseas. We are happy to see the initiative bearing fruit," he said.
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KADCO managing director C. Abhishek said the corporation will engage more trained craftswomen to meet the rising export demand for Kerala jewellery.
Serene Tharian, a representative of the Cypriot company, said: "Our company is interested in other items, including ornamented garments and country towels made in Kerala."
KADCO, formed in 1981, works for the socio-economic betterment of traditional artisans engaged in making handicrafts and other products using wood, gold, copper, brass, iron, leather and clay.