Indian handicrafts facing competition from machine-made products: Rashmi Verma

Aamir H Kaki 

Indian handicrafts are facing competition from machine made products from countries such as China. But buyers know the difference between machine made and hand-crafted products as these are of superior quality, Rashmi Verma, Secretary - Textiles, Ministry of Textiles said while inaugurating the 43rd edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF) Delhi Fair Spring 2017 organised by EPCH (Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts) on Thursday at Expo Mart, Greater Noida.

 She congratulated the EPCH for successfully bagging IHGF-Delhi Fair in the Limca Book of World Records as the world’s largest congregation of handicrafts exhibitors under one roof. “Every time I visit this fair I always see new product lines on display and this is the reason that a large number of buyers from across the world visit this fair to source the requirement from varied product groups under one roof,” she said. 

“Artisans and manufacturers of Indian handicrafts are to be guided for creating new products to be competitive, she added. 

She was appreciative of the fact that EPCH is already is playing a key role in promoting and guiding artisans by providing platform and hand holding the products being made by small artisans, craft persons and upcoming entrepreneurs from different craft clusters to interact directly with the international buyers. 

“Buyer-seller meet is the key factor of IHGF. Through this direct buyer-seller meet Indian handicrafts can grow further not only in terms of exports but can further enhance the image of brand India in the market of home, fashion, lifestyles and textiles across the world,” she said. 

Verma also said that handicrafts are important for the Textile Ministry as these contribute to the country’s GDP as well as exports, while adding that exports of handicrafts are continuously growing compared the other products. There is a demand from industry for branding of handicrafts items. This will help in promoting the Indian handicrafts in global markets. “Our Ministry is looking into it and soon some of the handicrafts items have branding,” she added.

She informed the media that VRIKSH certificate for wooden items has been accepted worldwide. 

She said, “O/o DC (Handicrafts) is working towards branding of handicraft items just like handloom branding has been launched by Handloom sector recently. This will further help in terms of quality assurance and certification and selling of handicrafts products in the International markets.” 

Speaking on the occasion, Rakesh Kumar, ED, EPCH, “We are delighted that a record number of exhibitors are exhibiting their products during the edition of this IHGF. The success credit for the Fair entering into the Limca Book of World Records as the largest congregation of handicrafts producers under one roof goes to each and every stakeholder, exhibitors, buyers, O/o DC (Handicrafts) and the team.” 

Elaborating on the design registration procedure he said, in the next edition of IHGF-Delhi fair EPCH we will be setting a procedure for design registration to safeguard the interests of the creator of the item and discourage copying of products among the manufacturers' community. 

“Buyers from renowned international buying companies are visiting this edition. Apart from overseas buyers, domestic volume retails buyers from many leading retail chains of India and e-commerce companies have become the regular visitors to the fair. The products under the home, lifestyles, fashion and textile have attained sizeable place among these retail stores such as Good Earth, Furniture Republic, Fab India, West Side, Archies Ltd, DLF brands Ltd, @home, Shoppers Stop, Lifestyles group, and many others,” he informed. 

Dinesh Kumar, Chairman – EPCH, while speaking at the occasion, informed, “More than 3000 exhibitors including 900 permanent marts from all over the country will be showcasing a wide range of 14 product categories of houseware, home furnishing, furniture, gifts and decoratives, lamps and lighting, christmas & festive décor, fashion jewellery & accessories, spa and wellness, carpets and rugs, bathroom accessories, garden accessories, educational toys & games, handmade paper products and stationery and leather bags. 

“Over 6500 foreign buyers from more than 80 countries, buying agents based in India and domestic retail volume buyers are expected to visit the mega fair to source their requirements,” he added. 

He further said, “The exports of handicrafts during the period April-January 2016-17 have registered a growth of 13.06% in rupee terms and stands at Rs.20282.18 crores. However, the growth in dollar terms is 9.43% with exports of $3018.58 million. The export target of $3600 million (Rs.23560 crores) is set for the year 2016-17 and going by the current trend we hope to achieve the target.” 

EPCH (Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts) which is a nodal agency for promotion and development of handicrafts has been organising the Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair (IHGF) for the last 23 years.