Page 2 - Handicrafts

Handicraft exports likely to fall 6-8% in FY24 amid global market slump

Indian handicraft exports may witness a 6-8 per cent decline this fiscal to USD 3.3 billion, mainly due to a spending slowdown in global markets, a report said on Monday. A slowdown in discretionary spending in key global markets will drag the largely export-oriented Indian handicraft industry by 6-8 per cent lower to USD 3.3 billion this fiscal, after a decline of 20 per cent in FY23, Crisil Ratings said in a report. "Amid the slowdown in key export markets, Indian handicraft exporters will face increased competition from their Chinese counterparts post easing of Covid-19 curbs in China. Handicraft exporters will rely on lower pricing and extended credit to counter subdued demand, which may pull down operating profitability by 200-250 basis points to 12 per cent," Crisil Ratings Director Rahul Guha said. The industry derives almost 60 per cent of its sales from the US and EU, which are battling high inflation and recession fears. Together, these two regions make up a market of mor

Himachal govt to rebrand State Handicrafts Corporation as 'Him-Craft': CM

The Himachal government is all set to rebrand the State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Ltd as 'Him-Craft', Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Saturday. Branding is crucial for any product and the new brand name will help in promoting and branding all handicrafts and handloom products made by artisans and weavers of the state. The move is aimed at increasing the income of artisans and expanding their customer base for economic growth and greater financial stability, a statement issued here said. This will ensure authenticity, enhance customer satisfaction and build trust for the state's handicrafts and handloom products, Sukhu said adding that the new trade name will be reflected in all official documents, including business cards, letterheads, email signatures and the official website, consolidating all handloom and handicrafts products under a single umbrella brand. The Handloom and Handicraft products made by the artisans of Himachal are in great demand in the ..

Record growth in handicraft, handloom sector in J&K in 3 months: LG Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the handicraft and handloom sector of the Union Territory has recorded an unprecedented growth in the last three months and registered Rs 729 crore worth exports despite instability in the global market. Sinha's remarks came at a function here where he presented the Union Territory-level award to the artisans. The Lt Governor congratulated all the award winners for their commendable service to preserve and promote priceless cultural and artistic heritage. He said the administration has taken several important steps to boost handicraft and handloom sector. "We are committed to provide training, design, technology, financial and other infrastructure support that will significantly contribute to the growth of this sector and earnings of artisans," he added. Sinha said an "unprecedented" growth has been recorded in the last three months and this sector has registered Rs 729 crore worth exports despite the instability i

Handicraft far superior than machine-made products, exports rising: Goyal

Piyush Goyal said that the country's handicraft exports have been rising steadily and were far superior than any machine-made products

Bihar to sign MoU with ICCR to showcase its soft power to world: Official

The Bihar government will sign an MoU with the ICCR to help artists from the state, handicrafts and several other ethnic arts to get international exposure, an official said. The Art and Culture Department of the state government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) in this regard on November 11, Secretary, Art and Culture Department of Bihar government, Bandana Preyashi said. The department is now preparing a calendar of live art and heritage performances to be held worldwide in the coming months after this MoU, she said. "This MoU will help artists from Bihar, handicrafts and several other ethnic arts of the state to get international exposure", Preyashi told PTI on Wednesday. The Art and Culture department secretary said this MoU will help Bihar to send group of artists to other countries as part of cultural exchange initiative by the Central and the state government. Similarly, cultural troupes from other countries

Rajasthan govt plans to generate 50,000 jobs in handicraft sector

Rajasthan has about 600,000 craftsmen and artisans

Rajasthan govt launches Handicraft Policy-2022 to revive traditional arts

With an aim to further boost investment in the cultural heritage of the state the first Rajasthan Handicraft Policy 2022 was launched on September 17, 2022 by the state government.

CM Ashok Gehlot to release Rajasthan handicrafts, MSME policy on Saturday

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will release the state's first handicrafts policy and Rajasthan MSME Policy-2022 on Saturday on the occasion of MSME Day. Udyog Ratna and Export Promotion Awards will also be given to entrepreneurs and exporters in the programme, an official statement said. According to the program, Chief Minister Gehlot will release these policies at a program in Jaipur and will release a coffee table book 'Rajasthani Artifacts' prepared on the handicrafts of Rajasthan. Industries Minister Shakuntala Rawat said that the objective of Rajasthan Handicraft Policy-2022 is to provide better marketing arrangements for the upliftment of handicrafts, to revive traditional arts and extinct arts and to create new employment opportunities. With the implementation of the first handicraft policy of the state, artisans of rugs, ceramic and clay art, painting, leather craft, jewellery etc. will be benefited and more than 50,000 new employment opportunities will be available

Dismal festive season for artisans due to 70% cut in post-Covid demand

As Delhi gears up to celebrate Navaratri and Durga Puja with fervour after a two-year Covid pandemic lull, the situation continues to remain gloomy for the city's idol-makers due to curtailed spending by individuals and budget cuts by puja committees. According to the artisans, orders have reduced by almost 70 per cent this year as compared to pre-Covid times and most of the orders are for smaller and cheaper idols, which results in thin profit margins. "Our business got impacted due to the pandemic and the subsequent restrictions. We have returned to work after two years but the business hasn't revived. It is not even even 25 per cent of what it used to be (before Covid) and because of this, we had to reduce our staff," owner of an idol-making shop at Chittaranjan Park Govind Nath told PTI. Eleven idol makers from West Bengal, who used to work in here, went back to their respective hometowns during the first lockdown in 2020, he said. "People have been ordering idols of smaller ..

Rajasthan govt lines up big plans for handicrafts, handloom industries

Various steps are being planned by the state government to give a boost to the sale of handloom, handicrafts and khadi products.

India's textiles exports highest-ever in FY22 at $44.4 bn, says govt

The exports tally, which also includes handicrafts, indicates a substantial increase of 41 per cent and 26 per cent over corresponding figures in FY21 and FY20, respectively.

Hunar Haat provided economic impetus to artisans, craftsmen: Mukhtar Naqvi

Hunar Haat is an initiative of the Ministry of Minority Affairs

To empower women, handicraft centres provide training in J&K's Pulwama

Women here are encouraged to learn abilities such as embroidery, crewel, tailoring, and stitching through the government's special skill development programs

India should become the fashion capital of the world: Piyush Goyal

The minister urged the designers to work in synergy towards the goal of ensuring that each of the 75 lakh identified craft people earns Rs 1,000 more every month

Looms are falling silent in Kashmir's handicraft villages

With trade hit by uncertainty and Covid-19, youths are looking elsewhere for employment

Looking for handicrafts? Tips on identifying and buying an authentic piece

Always buy from a reputable outlet, not from trinket shops outside tourist spots or on mall roads; remember that the beauty in a genuine piece lies in its flaws, unlike a machine-made copy

Cabinet nod to closure of Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation

Employees in the corporation - 59 permanent and six management trainees - will be given an opportunity to avail voluntary retirement scheme

Khadi, handicraft emporiums turn to e-comm as offline sales hit record low

West Bengal's khadi and handicraft emporiums, Gramin and Manjusha respectively, have started retailing on e-commerce marketplace as offline sales are at an all-time low during the Covid-19 pandemic

Direct Create plans to launch awareness campaign to promote handicrafts

Direct Create, an online-offline technology platform for handicrafts, is planning to launch an awareness campaign 'Empowerment through Craft' to enroll entrepreneurs and more craftsmen, it said

J&K govt ties up with Flipkart to promote handicraft, handloom products

In an important step towards the promotion of rural economy and boost the sale of handicraft and handloom products in Jammu and Kashmir, the union territory government on Thursday signed a pact with online retailer Flipkart for showcasing and facilitating the local artisans and craftsmen to reach customers across the globe. Speaking on the MoU (memorandum of understanding) signing occasion, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, UT of J&K, said the partnership will give a big boost to the rural economy and promote the versatile handicrafts and handlooms of Jammu and Kashmir to a pan-India market. In a statement, Walmart-owned Flipkart said its agreement with Jammu & Kashmir Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation under the Flipkart Samarth programme to enable local artisans, weavers and craftsmen showcase their products on its platform. Hashmat Ali Yauto, Managing Director of J&K Handloom & Handicrafts Corporation, said, "(The partnership)... will benefit lakhs of artisans, ...