Handicrafts exports decline in first half of current fiscal: EPCH
Aamir H Kaki Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) said on Wednesday that handicrafts exports from the country were declined during the first six months of current financial year, due to disruptions caused by implementation of GST, exchange rates and some global matters. “The handicrafts exports from India during the first six months of 2017-18 were declined compared to a year ago. The exports during the period were Rs.12520 crore,” said O.P. Prahladka, Chairman, EPCH, while briefing the press on Wednesday on the eve of 44th edition of IHGF-Delhi Fair to be held from October 12-16. “However, the exports of handicrafts were Rs.24,392 crore during the financial year 2016-17, witnessing an increase of 13.15% compared to the previous year,” he added. However, Prahladka said ...
GST July 1st release: Yet to be an assured reality?
By Ranjeet Mahtani & Sweta Rajan On the path to complete all responsibilities and release the requisite laws, regulations and rates ahead of the proposed transition date of July 1, 2017, the GST Council met on June 3, 2017. The key developments during the meeting were: A committee comprising revenue officers from Centre and States is to be set up to entertain complaints relating to anti-profiteering. GST rates of the items which were not placed across the agreed rate slabs (after the Council’s meetings on 18 and 19 May, 2017) were decided, including 3% GST on gold and gold jewellery, 0.25% on rough diamonds, 5% on packaged food items sold under registered trademarks, 18% on biscuits, 5% on footwear priced below Rs. 500/- ...
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 ...
Handicrafts export to grow at 17%: Textiles Secretary
The Dollar Business Bureau Export of handicrafts continued to grow at the rate of 17%, though many sectors witnessed a drop in exports of Indian products to world markets, said Rashmi Verma, Textiles Secretary. Ministry of Textiles is looking to focus on new opportunities and markets for the domestic handloom and handicrafts sector as several global firms are willing to partner with weavers and artisans in India, she said at an event organised by ASSOCHAM in New Delhi on Friday. “There is a huge scope for promoting Indian handloom and handicraft products in the niche markets world over,” she added. Verma urged all the stakeholders to make efforts to engage with Indian weavers and artisans and hand-hold them not just for making sure that they get ...
EPCH urges FM to exempt handicrafts from GST
The Dollar Business Bureau The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has requested the Finance Minister to exempt the handicrafts sector from the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The sector is apprehensive that GST may have some difficult tasks for the segment, Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, EPCH said in a statement. The handicrafts sector currently has 100 percent exemption under central excise. However, the sector may be covered under GST with higher taxes which can make the products un-competitive in the foreign markets, he said. This concern was raised by a delegation of EPCH that met the finance minister on Monday. Kumar further said that while the exporters are being permitted to get refunds of the taxes, there will be entire capital blockage as currently proposed ...
India's handicraft exports grow over 8% in 2015-16
The Dollar Business Bureau India's handicraft exports increased by over 8% to nearly Rs 31,000 crore in 2015-16, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani informed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. "According to the provisional data available, the exports of handicrafts have shown an increase of Rs.2,414.79 crore from Rs.28,524.48 crore to Rs.30,939.27 crore -- an increase of 8.46% in rupees term in 2015-16 as compared to previous year," Irani said. Resending to queries, the newly-elected textile minister said the government has received a proposal from export promotion council for handicrafts for the establishment of an e-marketing platform as part of marketing support and service scheme. The platform is aimed at facilitating buyers and sellers to procure/sell as well as promote product categories in both ...
Handicrafts exporters look up to e-commerce to boost trade
Jayarama Emani | The Dollar Business The $5 billion Indian Handicrafts Industry is likely to witness growth like never before both in the domestic and international markets. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking the Ministry of Tribal Welfare to explore the possibilities of online marketing of products produced by tribals through e-commerce platforms, a host of handicraft exporters are eagerly waiting to jump on to the wagon of e-commerce and joining hands with popular portals to tap the Indian market. At a time when India's handicraft exports declined by about 10 per cent year-on-year in January to USD 120 million, the industry is looking at the government to develop India as one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in Asia-Pacific. With increased Internet ...
Changes in duty drawback rates will boost Indias handicrafts exports: EPCH
The Dollar Business Bureau The recent changes in duty drawback rates and categorisation of handicraft products will help boost India’s handicrafts exports in the coming years, according to the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). According to official sources, Indian handicrafts exports have grown steadily in the last few years, registering a y/y growth of around 15% to about $3.8 billion in FY2013-14. India’s exports of handicrafts are expected to grow to around $4.5 billion in FY2014-15. Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) Overall, exports are expected to get a further boost due to the changes introduced by the government in the duty drawback rates. “This will encourage exporters to do better in the future ...