The decline in export orders due to the downturn, especially for chess boards and pieces, has prompted Amritsar-based manufacturers of chess boards and pieces to look for other avenues where they can invest. Some are focusing on other wooden board-based games while others are planning to diversify into other sectors.
Most world markets source wooden chess boards and pieces from Amritsar, which houses 40-50 units, all in the SME category, and about a dozen big units that employ 500-600 people. Indian-made chess boards and pieces are in great demand in the US, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Australia and Canada. The export of chess pieces from Amritsar is worth more than Rs 20 crore annually.
Kulwant Singh, a partner at Pleasant Times Industries, said, “Things are not as rosy as they used to be. Exports are on a downward trend, due to the slowdown. Further, the depreciation of the dollar against the rupee has affected us to the extent of 15 per cent. So in order to sustain our business we are planning to focus on other games like backgammon.”
The proprietor of Amritsar Ivory Works, Rajesh K Sharma, said, “Exports have fallen drastically, and export markets will take time to revive. Already some units have cut manpower due to the fall in demand, while some units have even shut down operations. In order to sustain their livelihoods, craftsmen are seeking employment in other manufacturing sectors. Even we are contemplating testing our fortunes in other sectors.”
Increasing competitiveness has forced manufacturers to go in for partial mechanisation (earlier, the entire work used to be done manually). But they say that all their efforts have been in vain, due to the downturn.
Some exporters lament that though their “industry” comes under the category of “handicrafts”, the government has not provided any incentive to boost its exports.
